Artwork Story
There are 7 artworks in this set, including one slightly larger artwork, 3 artworks measuring 25cm x 25cm and 3 artworks measuring 31cm x 31cm.
This group of paintings illustrates a story from the olden days, recounting a time when people went looking for sugar bag (wild honey) and gathered together for ceremony. As the people continued hunting and found kangaroo, jealousy grew between different groups, leading to a large conflict as more people arrived and joined the fight over the kangaroo. The fighting became very serious, and many people died.
As told by Danny Dixon:
1. People are looking around for sugar bag (wild honey). The circles in the painting represent the story and Country. 25cm x 25cm
2. People are dancing and some are singing, having ceremony for that sugar bag. Look, one fella is hiding behind that tree. He's watching them. 31cm x 31cm
3. The people go looking for more sugar bag up the tree. One bloke has got that kangaroo. 25cm x 25cm
4. The people go hunting and get more kangaroo. The circles once again represent the story and Country. 31cm x 31cm
5. People from a different tribe come and start fighting these people, trying to get that kangaroo. They are jealous ones. 31cm x 31cm
6. More people come. People from another place come and they are fighting too. 25cm x 25cm
7. All the people are fighting over that kangaroo - jealous ones! It was a really big fight, and many people died. 46cm x 61cm
This style of storytelling through painting has sparked growing interest among younger Aboriginal men who are eager to learn more about the Atyetyart - the stories and knowledge of the old people.
