Smokingof a small child was a form of punishment , an elder would hold the child over smoke of a fire for a short time . This would calm the child down , stopped them being , naughty eg; throuwing stones in the water whilst someone was fishing screaming ect.
the story behind this art piece , is about Ulupna island and the initiation of men on country displayed , throughout the landscape and ocher coloured border . Also the billabongs , rivers , waterholes . where we fished and swam, for thousands of years ..
Drawing of the sites of Yorta Yorta land, the Ochre mines and the wet lands , lakes the sand hills ..the ochre mines and the initiation places considered sacred areas , also the gum tree where one of the last full bloods where buried in front of , on cummeragunja
Snake Boomerang emu egg
This Tree resembles how I feel. I feel strong, responsible and in control. Free!