This painting depicts awelye . The Aboriginal Women from Utopia in central Australia apply body markings or designs from ground ochres onto their upper body in preparation for their ceremonies. Women's ceremonies include many song lines and dance cycles and they occur at spiritually significant places. At these sites often the women will draw depictions in the sand, which now is transferred onto canvas or modern artists materials.

If you would like to know more about Awelye and the relationship with Aboriginal Art and culture, please read the following articles or to view video footage of Aboriginal women applying awelye:

• Awelye (Women's Ceremony) Art
• Aboriginal Women
• Aboriginal Spirituality
• Utopia Aboriginal Art: Aboriginal Paintings from the Central Desert
• Video Aboriginal women applying awelye