MB062658
Women Collecting Ahakeye (Bush Plum) MB062658-June Bird Ngale
June Bird Ngale
$440.00
1955
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Ilkawerne (El-go-an-na), Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Batik on Silk
Subjects:Alpar (Rat-Tail Plant) Story, Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming, Ahakeye (Bush Plum) at Aremela Rockhole, Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Waterhole in my Country, Women Collecting Ahakeye (Bush Plum)
June Bird Ngale was born in 1955 and is an Anmatyerre artist connected to Ilkawerne Country in the Utopia region. She is the daughter of the late Ada Bird Petyarre and the late Tommy Bird Mpetyane, and continues a strong family tradition of artistic storytelling.
June was involved in the Utopia womens batik movement during the 1980s, with her batik works represented in the prestigious Robert Holmes à Court Collection. She later continued her practice through acrylic painting on canvas and linen.
Her paintings reflect the influence of her mothers distinctive style and share important stories connected to Country, including Alpar (Rat-tail Plant), Ahakeye (Bush Plum), Aremela Rockhole, waterholes and Awelye (Womens Ceremony and Body Paint Designs).
June lives in the Utopia region with her husband and children, continuing to share the stories and cultural knowledge passed down through her family.
This painting represents Ahakeye (bush plum) at Aremela Rockhole. Aremela Rockhole is a sacred site for June and her people.
The ahakeye, called bush plum in English by June, 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.
MB062658