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Catalogue Number: 25/334
This painting shows a special time when Aboriginal women gather for ceremony out on their Country. Before the ceremony begins, the women collect ochre from the earth and from dry river beds. They grind the ochre into a soft powder and mix it with water to make paint. Ochre comes in many natural colours—red, yellow, white, and brown.
The women paint their bodies with designs that carry deep meaning. These patterns can tell stories about their Dreaming, their Country, their ancestors, and the roles they hold within ceremony.
Older women teach the younger ones, showing them how to prepare the ochre, how to paint the designs, and what each pattern means.
Through this painting, we see the importance of women’s ceremony and the strong connection between people, land, and culture. It reminds us that when knowledge is passed on, culture stays alive and strong for the future.