Artwork Story
Marie paints women collecting Merne Utyerrke, known as the wild or desert fig. Merne means food in Marie's language and Utyerrke is the fig. The figs grow on a large shrub that is found throughout Central Australia. This shrub has smooth grey bark and large glossy green, leathery leaves that were often used in women's leaf games and love magic. The figs are an important food source and can grow at any time of the year, depending on rainfall. In Aboriginal mythology this plant is very important and in some places so sacred that anyone known to damage it may be killed.
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.
