SP11405
1977
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Ilkawerne (El-go-an-na), Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen
Subjects:Alpar (Rat-Tail Plant) Story, Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Ntang Artety (Mulga Seed) Dreaming, Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming, Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Alpar (Rat-Tail Plant), Awelye (Women's Ceremony) for Alpar (Rat-Tail Plant) and Ahakeye (Bush Pl
Rosemary is the daughter of artists Paddy (dec) and Eileen Bird, and the granddaughter of Ada Bird Petyarre, a highly respected senior artist from Utopia. She is married to Clifford Tilmouth, and together they have two children. The family resides with their large extended family in the Utopia region.
Rosemary was taught the stories, songs and dances associated with her country, Ilkawerne, by the other women in her community. As she gains more experience, Rosemary continues to develop her artistic style, building on the rich cultural heritage passed down through her family.
Rosemary paints the story of the seed of the Mulga Tree, called Ntang Artety. Ntang means seed in Rosemary's language, and Artety is the word for Mulga Tree. This is a very important story for Rosemary that belongs to her country, Ilkawerne (El-go-an-na). The mulga seeds are an important plant food throughout Central Australia, usually available to collect for several months of the year.