When we were children we used to live in the bush with our parents and we lived mainly off the land, eating a lot of bush food. We used to walk along the river beds and banks looking for the bush onions. When we found the right plant we used to dig and pull it up. It is like the onion you buy in the shop but very small in size and brown in colour. You peel it can eat it raw or put it on top of the coals. It is very tasty.
Busy ants are shown here collecting food before winter. Bunjima people call the food ‘mulma nujnu’. This name comes from the leaves, and another name is ‘ngardanu’, which comes from the branches.
When we see sea turtles it can mean that they can be mating and that makes us aware that they will soon be going to lay eggs. Some of our people eat the eggs and turtles.
My great grandchild Zandaya (8 years old) also worked with me. It’s a painting of the wildflowers of the pilbara.
In September, when we are looking for gum from the Blue Gum Tree, we walk through the spinifex country. We pick the gum when it is crystal colour, and we eat it, or put it into hot water to make it like a toffee. We call it sugar lolly.
In September, when we are looking for gum from the Blue Gum Tree, we walk through the spinifex country. We pick the gum when it is crystal colour, and we eat it, or put it into hot water to make it like a toffee. We call it sugar lolly.
After the big rain in the Hamersley Range you notice how quickly the country starts to bloom with all the beautiful wild flowers.
We have some beautiful ocean creatures in the Pilbara. I love watching the sea turles swimming and surfacing for air. I paint them in my own style and patterns.