The painting depicts leaves from plant species which contain medicinal properties. The Aboriginal women gather these leaves to use as bush medicine.

The leaves are boiled, kangaroo resin is added and mixed into a paste. Aboriginal people use this bush medicine to treat a variety of ailments (sores, boils and bites).

The women from Utopia celebrate the Bush Medicine Dreaming in their awelye ceremonies.

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

• Aboriginal Women
• Aboriginal People
• Utopia Aboriginal Art: Aboriginal Paintings from the Central Desert