This painting depicts Grass (seed), an important plant from the Utopia region of central Australia. The Anmatyerre people call it Merne Ntange Ulyawe, the botanical name Portulca Olurecea. Barbara paints the grass in all the colors of its life cycle, from bright green after rain, red from forest fires and gray and black after burning. The small brush strokes in warm colors overlap and weave to create a swaying effect like the movement of native grass. The seeds of Merne Ntange Ulyawe which is an important staple food of traditional First Nations people in this region, often ground and made into cakes and flatbreads.
Please note that all First Nations Art is created from a so called ‘Birds Eye’ view. This means that the paintings can be hung either horizontally as well as vertically.