Bush Medicine (Apeng) by Katie Kemarre

This painting depicts a type of bush medicine called apeng, derived from the Kurrajong tree. Leaves are ground and mixed with animal fat to create a topical ointment, or with water as a drinking solution. There is an ancient Dreamtime story belonging to apeng which lies in the heart of Alyawarr land in Katie’s country, Antarrengeny.

Its seeds, called amern ngkweyang, were an important and nutritious food source years ago. Not a habitual practice now, Katie's people would collect these seeds, burn them to remove small hairs, and grind them into a flour for making damper (bread).

Fine white designs in this painting represent the Kurrajong flower. 

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Artist

Name: Katie Kemarre
Skin name: Kemarre (also spelled Kamara)
Language group: Alyawarr
Country: Antarrengeny
Region: Utopia, Central Australia
Born: 1943
Read Katie Kemarre's full bio »

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Explore Katie Kemarre's painting titled 'Aboriginal Women Collecting Bush Tucker'

• Medium: Synthetic polymer paint on canvas
• Size of painting: Approx 30cm x 21cm
• Size of canvas border: Approx 6cm
• Background colour: Black
• This painting comes unstretched and rolled in a tube.
• This painting comes with a Certificate of Authenticityand artist profile.