Aboriginal Painting - Alparra Seeds

Aboriginal Painting Title: Alparra Seeds
Aboriginal Artist: June Bird Ngale
Size: 68 x 50 cm
Medium: Acrylic on canvas

Authenticity:
COA and pictures of the artist holding and signing her work will be provided.

Story:

The Bush Plum, also known as Ahakeye, is a native shrub often referred to as the native currant or citrus. This plant, belonging to the Canthium attenuatum species, typically grows up to 3 meters high and is distinguished by its small white flowers, deep green citrus-like leaves, and small black fruits when ripe. Favoured for its sweet taste, the Bush Plum can be reconstituted in water if dry.

Bush Plum as a Totem and Its Dreaming Story

The Bush Plum holds significant cultural importance as a food source and is also considered a totem by many Aboriginal people, with an associated altyerre (Dreaming story). This deep cultural connection is often reflected in Aboriginal art, where paintings of the Bush Plum feature intricate dot work representing the berries at various stages of ripeness. White dot lines may signify the tracks made by women as they harvest the fruit.

Symbolism in Bush Plum Artworks

In these artworks, ‘U’ motifs symbolize women collecting Ahakeye. These women are depicted with digging sticks and coolamons (carved wooden bowls), traditional tools used for gathering bush foods. The paintings also include representations of the shrub’s flowers (white dots), and the yellow dot background symbolizes the fruit of the Bush Plum.

Variations in Bush Plum Dreaming Artworks

Artists may portray the Bush Plum at different stages of ripeness, resulting in a wide variety of styles and colourings in Bush Plum Dreaming artworks. This diversity showcases the rich and detailed stories tied to the Bush Plum and its importance in Aboriginal culture.