![]() | Born: c. 1986 Language Group: Anmatyerre Country: Ilkawerne (El-go-an-na), Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Subjects: Tyankern (Mulga Berries) Dreaming, Ntang Artety (Mulga Seed) Dreaming |
Trinity Bird is the ninth child of Paddy and Eileen Bird, both well established artists. Along with his 10 siblings, parents and grandmother (Ada Bird Petyarre) he has painted for Mbantua Gallery, though not prolifically. His very first works on canvas were done in 2002.
Trinity paints the Mulga Seed Dreaming and Mulga Berries Dreaming which tell of the men collecting the seeds and berries that fall from the mistletoe on the Mulga Tree.
Collections
Mbantua Gallery Private Collection, Alice Springs
Further References
Latz, P. | 1995, Bushfires & Bushtucker, IAD Press, Alice Springs |
Trinity paints the story of the Tyankern. This is a very important story for Trinity that belongs to his country, Ilkawerne. This story, its songs, dances and symbols have been passed down to Trinity from his father. The Tyankern is a sweet edible berry that belongs to a type of mistletoe (Lysiana spp.) found growing on the mulga tree. In the Dreamtime these two plants are one.
Concentric circles are symbols representing this sacred men's story. Parallel, wavy or singular lines stemming from the concentric circles represent song lines or travelling lines of the Ilkawerne people associated with this story. Coloured circles equal clearings the men make for easier collection of the Tyankern. U shapes equal men collecting the Tyankern and telling the Ilkawerne stories. Dot work in the background symbolizes the different colours that the Tyankern go through during maturity. Other symbols represent sacred men's symbols related to this Dreaming.