Carmen Jones Petyarre

Alyawarr Language Group

"Wild Onion Dreaming"

90 x 45 cm

Ref No: MG042761

In this painting Carmen depicts the flower of the "irreyakwerr" or wild onion. This plant is also known as yalka or onion grass. This is one of the most important food plants in Central Australia, which grows and produces bulbs (onions) all year round except for a few weeks after rain, when they germinate to form new plants. The onions have a dark papery skin that covers the white inner flesh. They need to be peeled before being eaten.
There is a Dreaming story for the irreyakwerr that belongs to Carmen's country, Arawerr. It is a very important Dreaming and ceremonies by Carmen and her people are carried out to demonstrate respect for this story and ensure its food productivity.