Pwerle paints ʻAwelye Atnwengerrpʼ, meaning womenʼs ceremony, which is depicted by a series of lines and symbols, often criss-crossed patterns that are layered across the canvas with colours that are explosive, colourful and energetic. The patterns represent the designs painted on women's bodies during bush tucker ceremonies in Atnwengerrp. Her breast designs, with their straight lined patterns and beautiful use of colour, may superficially remind one of Minnie Pwerleʼs well-known paintings, yet Emily Pwerleʼs are different again. In her works, the body painting designs are dense - they jostle for space, almost fighting their way across the canvas, as though they were about to break from their rectangular restraints and explode forth in a riot of colour and pattern.
