Audrey Martin Napanangka

This painting by Audrey shows a patch of country in the Warlpiri tribal region north west of Alice Springs. This country is west of Yuendumu, near Willowra, an important site for Audrey and her Warlpiri women colleagues. They travel out to this area to collect bush foods, known in Australia as bush tucker. These foods come into season at different times and form a vital part of Aboriginal culture. Ceremonies are conducted where the women paint their bodies and dress up in a skirt. They then sing and dance to honour the ancestral beings who created the landscape of the country in theDreamtime. These ceremonies also are rituals to bring an increase in the particular bush food in the forthcoming season. This painting specifically reflects ceremonies relating to the wild bush tomato. There are 3 ceremonial sites shown with women present (the U shapes) with their digging sticks (solid bars) and their coolamons (oval shapes). The coolamons are used as bowls for carrying the tomatoes. The different patterning reflects different areas of the country. The distinctive multi-coloured dots used by this artist are typical of Audrey’s work and give a wonderful 3-dimensional depth to her painting. She has taught this technique to just a few of her friends. The beautiful use of ochre colouring reflects the colours of her country.