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Catalogue Number: 25/309
This painting tells a story about Aboriginal women in Central Australia going out into the bush to look for honey ants. These special ants live deep underground, hiding in cool, dark places. The women search for signs on the surface, like loose sand or small holes, which show that a nest is below. Many nests are found near the roots of a mulga tree, where the ants make their tunnels.
The curved or V shapes in the painting represent the women sitting on the ground as they work together. Beside each woman is her digging stick, a strong wooden tool used to break the hard desert soil. The women follow the tunnels carefully, digging slowly so they do not damage the nest.
Honey ants are filled with sweet liquid, and finding them is a special treat for families living in the desert. This painting celebrates the women’s knowledge of Country, their skill in finding bush foods, and the way these traditions are taught and shared across generations.