The painting depicts the seed (kame) of the pencil yam (atnwelarr) illustrated in a unique looping pattern.

In the Dreamtime two seeds were born and created two types of pencil yam. One seed was named Atnwelarr for Alhalkere country and the other seed was named Arlatyeye for Arnumarra country.

The pencil yam is a staple food source for Aboriginal people and the women from Alhalkere, Utopia in Central Australia perform ceremonies to ensure its perpetual germination. The seed (Kame) also is used as bush medicine for its healing qualities as eye soothers.

If you would like to know more about Pencil Yam Seed and the relationship with Aboriginal Art and culture, please read the following articles:

• Aboriginal Food
• Aboriginal Women
• Aboriginal Dreamtime Stories
• Utopia Aboriginal Art: Aboriginal Painting from the Central Desert