Gracie Morton (1956-2024)

Gracie Morton Pwerle was a senior Alyawarr artist, born around 1956 at Utopia in Central Australia. The daughter of Utopia artist Myrtle Petyarre and the sister of famous artists Gloria and Kathleen Petyarre. There is a rich artistic tradition that runs through Gracie’s family as well as the Utopia community. Not only Gracie’s aunties but her sisters, Mary, Rita and Elizabeth, are also artists.

Gracie Morton began painting in the late 1980s during the “A Summer Project”, where acrylic paints and canvas were introduced to the women of Utopia. Her artworks have been well received throughout Australia and overseas. Gracie was a senior traditional custodian of the Arnwekety (Bush Plum) Dreaming, and in accordance with traditional law, was responsible for ensuring the Dreaming, customs and traditions associated with the Bush Plum are upheld. This responsibility was passed down to Gracie from her father and aunt.

Gracie’s primary subject in her artwork was Arnwekety and through her artwork she depicted the changing seasonal influences on the plant. Gracie created a wonderful lyricism in her artworks, causing a three-dimensional visual effect that guides the observer through the soft outward reaching fields of colour.

Gracie’s artworks are represented in major private collections including the Holmes à Court Collection and her artworks are exhibited regularly throughout Australia. She has been a part of international exhibitions in China, Germany, Italy and The Netherlands.