The painting depicts body paint design (Awelye or Awely). The Aboriginal women from Utopia in Central Australia apply ground ochre onto their upper body, which is associated with womens ceremony. These designs and ceremonies are derived from an ancient culture, which is thousands of years old.

Womens ceremonies include many song lines and dance cycles. Ceremonies take place at deep spiritual sites or gathered at sacred ground paintings.

If you would like to know more about Awelye and the relationship with Aboriginal Art and culture, please read the following articles or video footage of Aboriginal Women applying body paint designs: -

• Awelye (Womens Ceremony) Art
• Aboriginal Women
• Aboriginal Culture
• Utopia Aboriginal Art: Aboriginal Paintings from the Central Desert

• Awelye (Body Paint) - Video of Aboriginal Women applying body paint design