Kathleen Purvis Kemarre

Alyawarr Language Group

"Bush Medicine "

90 x 30 cms

Ref No: MG039402

There are many sacred Dreamtime stories that belong to Kathleen's country, Antarrengeny, which play a significant part in her ceremonies and culture. One of her main Dreamings is the story of the Bush Medicine. There are different types of bush medicine in the central Desert. One is used as an ointment where the star shaped leaves and the seeds are crushed, mixed with animal fats and applied topically on sores. Another has medicinal properties in its roots that can be dug up and drunk straight from the root to cure sore throats. Kathleen paints both of these through different creative designs. Subtle linear patterns in the background of this painting represent the shape of the leaves from the bush medicine plants. The dot work represents the seeds of these plants.