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My Mothers Country – Vicky Pula Holmes

Ampilatwatja is my Mothers country, I come from a long line of artists.

My family still traditionally hunt and gather, I share my love for the land, plants, flowers and trees, with my children and grandchildren.  My paintings are inspired by the changing seasons and I sometimes collect bush medicine plants which I make into tea to drink and bush medicine body lotions.  My favourite is aherr-aherr (lemon grass) which I boil up and then use as a body and hair wash, this always makes me feel right and good.   

Knowing your country is an important part of living in a remote community like Ampilatwatja. Knowing when and where to go hunting and gathering, knowing where there is ‘soakage’ (where you can dig for water), traveling with family for ceremonies, and maintaining a connection with the land.

 The community of Ampilatwatja made a conscious decision not to paint ‘altyerr’ dreaming stories, the artists paint their country where those stories sit.

“This is my Mothers country, my view of country” Vicky Pula Holmes