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Catalogue: 24/315
This painting shows an important part of Aboriginal women's ceremonial life — body painting. During special ceremony times, women paint their bodies using natural ochre collected from the earth. They crush the ochre into powder by grinding it on a smooth rock. The powder is then mixed with water to create paint.
Ochre comes in different colours, such as red, yellow, and white. Each colour has its own meaning. The patterns painted on the women's bodies are not just decorations — they carry stories. These designs show who the women are, where they come from and what the ceremony is about.
Older women play an important role in passing on this tradition. They teach the younger women how to gather the ochre, how to make the paint, and how to apply it. They also explain the meaning behind each pattern, keeping cultural knowledge alive and strong.