ROSEMARY PITJARA PETYARRE - Bush Medicine Leaves

Born: c1945. Utopia, Northern Territory
Known as: Rosemary Pitjara, Rosemary Petyarre, Rosemary Bird Petyarre
Language: Anmatyerre

Dreaming's: Bush Tucker, Medicine Plants, Women's Dreaming (Awelye), Bush Yam, Yam Seed and Bush Yam Flower.

Bush Tucker - Rosemary grew up living off this country, so she knows its bush food inside out, where to find it, when it's ready and how it's prepared. Her bush tucker paintings map that everyday knowledge, passed down through generations of women before her.

Medicine Plants - This is the story behind today's painting. The leaves are gathered by the women, boiled up to treat coughs, colds and chest complaints, or crushed into a paste for wounds and sores. It's practical bush knowledge as much as it is a Dreaming the plants keep people well, physically and spiritually.

Women's Dreaming (Awelye) - Awelye refers to the ceremonial body paint designs worn by women during ceremony. Ochre and charcoal are traced onto the skin in patterns that shift depending on the occasion and the seniority of the woman wearing them. It's a Dreaming about culture, status and the strong role women hold in Anmatyerre life.

Bush Yam, Yam Seed and Bush Yam Flower - The Yam Dreaming is one of Rosemary's real signatures she's known for the fine detail of tiny seeds scattered through the leaves. It follows the whole life of the plant, from flower to seed to the yam itself, and reflects her deep connection to Country and to the seasonal foods it provides.

Rosemary is the niece of the famous Indigenous artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye. She is the sister of Jeannie Pitjara and half-sister to Greeny Purvis Petyarre and Evelyn Pultara. She is also skin sister to well-known artists Gloria Petyarre, Kathleen Petyarre and Ada Bird Petyarre.

Rosemary was involved in making batik at Utopia in the eighties before she moved to acrylic on canvas. She's now an accomplished artist with works held worldwide, painting the stories passed down to her and her sister Jeannie.

This particular painting tells the story of medicine leaves generally collected by the women, boiled and used to treat coughs, colds and respiratory problems, or made into a paste for wounds and sores.

The painting can be hung vertically or horizontally.

With all our artwork displayed on our online gallery we take a lot of time to ensure the colours are true. If you require further images, please contact us.

This painting was purchased directly from Rosemary, and a gallery certificate of authenticity will be provided with the sale.