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Catalogue Number: 25/278
This painting shows a special time when Aboriginal women come together for ceremony. It is a time for sharing stories, preparing the body, and connecting with Country.
The women collect ochre from the earth and grind it on a rock until it becomes a soft powder. They mix this powder with water to make paint. Ochre is a natural colour from the land, and it can be red, yellow, white, or brown. Each colour comes from a different place and carries its own meaning.
The women paint their bodies with patterns that tell important stories. These designs can show their connection to Country, their family, their ancestors, and their role in the ceremony.
Older women teach the younger ones how to prepare the ochre, how to place the designs, and what each pattern means. This teaching is passed down from grandmothers, aunties, and mothers. By learning these designs, the younger women keep their culture strong and carry the knowledge into the future.