Awelye for Ahakeye by Tanya Bird Mpetyane

Designs in this painting depict elements of the Ahakeye Story. This story is very important to Tanya and the people of Ilkawerne country. The ahakeye are often referred to as bush plums but they are little currants. They grow on the canthium attenuatum shrub which grows about 3m high. This shrub produces small white flowers, deep green citrus-like leaves and the currents which are black when ripe and very small. This fruit is favoured for its sweet taste and can be reconstituted in water if dry.

In this painting, the small black dots represent the ahakeye which have dried and fallen to the ground. Breasts are depicted representing women. They are painted up for ceremony related to the Ahakeye Dreaming. Awelye is the Anmatyerre word for women's ceremony. 

Colours: white and black on grey background.

• Medium: Synthetic polymer paint on canvas
• Size of painting: 30cm x 30cm
• Size of canvas border: Approx 6cm
• Background colour: Grey
• This painting comes unstretched and rolled in a tube.
• This painting comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and artist profile.