c. 1932
Language Group:Anmatyerre and Arrernte (Aranda)
Country:Ahalpere, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas, Wood Carving and Boomerangs
Subjects:Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming, Anwekety (Conkerberry), Anwekety (Conkerberry) and Rain Dreaming, Country, Crows on the Ground in My Country, Curlews in My Country, Curlews in the Bush at Night, Eagles in My Country, Emu's Wandering in My Country, Goan
Motorbike started carving in 2015, and painting in 2017 for Mbantua Gallery. Motorbike is married to Kathleen Ngale and they have two children, Matthew Mpetyane and Elizabeth Mpetyane. They live at Camel Camp in the Utopia region. Kathleen Ngale is a well-known artist and has been painting for Mbantua Gallery for a long time. Motorbike is very tribal and still makes boomerangs from time to time.
Motorbike paints olden days story. He has painted this painting with his daughter, Elizabeth Mpetyane. Motorbike paints different versions of traditional day to day life in the 'olden days' and Elizabeth has painted the background dots to represent the Ahakeye (Bush Plum).
The ahakeye is also known as the native currant or citrus. This shrub produces small white flowers, deep green citrus-like leaves and the ahakeye, which are black when ripe and very small. This fruit is favoured for its sweet taste and can be reconstituted in water if dry.