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Our dynamic artists are from the Utopia region, a large remote area of Central Australia with no government funded art centre. It has one of the richest art histories and is strongly female led.
“The Dreamtime is the mythological representation of what Aboriginal people carry in their minds. The source of life! This knowledge has not just been planted in their minds, it is taught and structured through initiation and ceremony.” - A.P. Elkin, Professor of Anthropology, 1920’s-1930’s
Ilyarnayt
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Ilyarn or Ilyarnayt (Wattle)
Ngkwarlerlanem and Arnkawenyerr Countries
The Ilyarn, or Ilyarnayt, is a common variety of Acacia and is particularly favoured for the abundance of edible grubs living in its roots (known simply as ilyarnayt and are similar to a witchetty grub) and also its seeds (ntang ilyarnayt). These seeds can be collected, ground into a paste and used for making damper (bread).
As is common for many acacia's, this plant has small lemon-yellow ball flowers and many artists from Ngkwarlerlanem and Arnkawenyerr in northern Utopia are found to paint them. The seeds are also commonly found in their paintings, represented through dot work, and sometimes the grubs are depicted as well. There is an important Dreamtime story for this plant that belongs to these countries.
 
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