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Catalogue Number: 25/132
This painting is a story about the bush tucker that grows wild across the central desert of Australia. After a big rain, the desert comes to life. New plants start to grow, and this is when local Aboriginal families go out onto their country to look for food.
One of the most important foods is the bush tomato. These small fruits grow on low, hardy plants that survive the hot sun and dry winds. The tomatoes can be found in different stages of ripeness. The hard green ones are not ready to eat. When the fruit turns yellow, it is ripe and full of flavour. If the fruit stays on the plant and dries in the sun, it turns brown. Even though it is dry, it is still good to eat and has a slightly sweet, earthy taste.
Knowing when to pick the fruit is important. This knowledge is passed down from mothers, aunties, and grandmothers to the younger generations. It teaches families how to live with the land and how to gather food.