Anaty (Desert Yams)

Size: 200 x 90cm

Orientation: Landscape

The Artist: Jeannie Mills Pwerle

The Story: The painting depicts the Bush Yam. The seed of the yam is represented by the fine white dot work and the thick colourful brushwork represents the flower and the vegetable. The Desert yam is an important food source for the Aboriginal people from Utopia in central Australia. It has an impressive root system, spreading up to twelve metres from the stalk, and is commonly found in woodland areas nearby a water source. Its bright green leaves and yellow flowers, can spread over quite a wide area, growing strongly until after the rainfall months when it is harvested by digging it out of the ground. By depicting the Yam Dreaming in their paintings, indigenous artists are able to pay homage to this significant plant and encourage its continual rejuvenation.