ROSEMARY PETYARRE

TITLE: Bush Medicine

SIZE: 156cm X 48cm (61.4" X 18.9")

MEDIUM: acrylic on canvas

YEAR PRODUCED: 2007

PROVENANCE: From the artists collection

"Bush Medicine Dreaming" depicts the leaves of a special plant that is used to aid in the healing process. The small dots depicted throughout the painting represent a variety of seeds, which are an important food supply for the Aboriginal people. The seeds are also used to make bush medicine. The younger girls are taken by the senior women to different places around Utopia to collect seeds from special plants. The leaves and seeds are collected and then boiled to extract the resin. Following this, the resin is mixed with kangaroo fat collected from the kangaroo's (or emu's) stomach. This creates a paste that can be stored for up to six months in bush conditions. This medicine is used to heal cuts, wounds, bites, rashes and as an insect repellent.

The dreaming that is the basis for Rosemary's paintings comes from the important ceremonies and traditions held by the people of her region. The bush medicine ceremony (performed by Women only) is carried out at different times of the year. The women paint their bodies with special markings for each particular ceremony. Ochre and spinifex ashes are mixed with kangaroo or emu fat to make the body-paint. Ceremonies always involve song, dance and body decoration. Each painting titled 'Bush Medicine Dreaming' shows different aspects from the process and its important links with the land.

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