One lucky Central Art mailing list subscriber will win this painting in November 2009. Enter the Betty Mbitjana competition now.

With the use of Aboriginal iconography the painting depicts Bush Melons (circles). This fruit grew once in abundance, but now days it is difficult to find in Antwengerrp

The Bush Melon is a sweet fruit, which grows on a very small bush. The Aboriginal women gathered the bush melon fruit, the surplus was skewed and dried, to be eaten when bush tucker was scarce.

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

Aboriginal Women
Aboriginal Food
Aboriginal Symbols and their Meanings
Utopia Aboriginal Art: Aboriginal Paintings from the Central Desert

Betty Mbitjana has inherited this Dreaming from her Mother Minnie Pwerle (passed away).