SP10413
1968
Language Group:Alyawarre
Country:Ngkwarlerlaneme and Arnkawenyerr, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Batik on Silk, Wood Carving
Subjects:Country, Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Alhepalh (Acacia Shrub), Ilyarnayt (Acacia Flower), Rainbow Dreaming, Camp Scene, Camp Dog
Ruby is one of the original women trained in batik, and her work is represented in the Robert Holmes à Court Collection. Following in the tradition of her late mother, Mary Morton, as well as her sisters and aunties, Ruby has established herself as a painter with a style that honors her familys artistic legacy.
All of Ruby's Dreamtime stories belong to her country, Ngkwarlerlaneme and Arnkawenyerr. This painting is inspired by the Dreamtime story of the Ilyarn or Ilyarnayt, a rare and attractive plant growing throughout Central Australia.
This plant is particularly favoured for the abundance of edible grubs living in the roots, known simply as Ilyarnayt, and also its seeds (Ntang Ilyarnayt) which are collected, ground into a paste and used for making damper (bread).