The painting depicts Aboriginal iconography referring to the Eastern Arrernte women of Central Australia gathering bush onion (yalke).

Aboriginal symbols illustrated:

• The ) shape represents a windbreak
• The U shape represents a woman
• The I shape represents a digging stick
• The circles represent connecting waterholes
• The small circles represent the bush onion (yalke)

The bush onion is of significance to Aboriginal people who own this dreaming and totem and can only be collected according to law. The bush onion is ready to be gathered, once the top of the plant has died off in winter. It must be skilfully systematically dug by hand from one side to the other side.

The women pay homage to the spirit of the bush onion in their ceremonies.

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

• Aboriginal Food
• Aboriginal Women