1970
Language Group:Alyawarre
Country:Ingkwelaye (Kurrajong Bore), Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen
Subjects:Atwakeye (Bush Orange), Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Arlatyeye (Pencil Yam) Dreaming, Imuna (Bush Food), Merne Ngkweyang (Kurrajong Seed), Women Collecting Atwakeye (Bush Orange)
Pauline began painting for Mbantua Gallery in 2000, alongside many other women from her region. Known for her shyness, she specialises in intricate dot work that depicts stories of women in ceremony or gathering food. Currently, she is focusing on the atwakeye (bush orange) story, which originates from her father's dreaming. Pauline's sisters, Katie and Janie (dec), are also accomplished painters.
Pauline paints women collecting the Atwakeye, known as the bush orange. The small compact tree of the wild orange plant has creamy white flowers that open during the night and wither before the end of the next day. The fruit hang down on long stalks and usually ripen from October through January.
Women, represented by 'U' motifs, can carry with them their digging sticks and coolamons (carved wooden bowls) which are typical instruments used for collecting many bush foods.