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Catalogue Number: 25/152
This painting tells the story of bush berries that grow in the Central Desert after good rain. When the rain comes, the dry land wakes up. Small plants start to grow, and soon the berries appear. These berries are an important bush food for families living in this area.
The brown curved shapes in the painting show the women sitting on the ground as they work together. Beside them are coolamons, the wooden bowls used in the old days for collecting food. The women use these coolamons to gather the ripe berries.
Local Aboriginal families from remote Central Australia go out onto their Country to collect the fruit when it is ready. They know which plants to look for, this knowledge has been passed down through many generations.
Knowing where these plants grow and when to harvest them helps families stay strong and connected to their Country. It keeps culture alive, and it reminds people of the deep relationship between the land, the rain, and the food it provides.