Dulcie Long Pula / Bush Leaves (20B)

30cm x 30cm Acrylic on Canvas

SKU: DES323

$160.00

SOLD

Dulcie Long Pula was born in 1979 at Boundary Bore Outstation in the Utopia region of the Northern Territory. She is an Anmatyerre woman.

Dulcie is a member of one of the most renowned painting families in Australia. Dulcie’s mother is respected artist Jeannie (Pitjara) Petyarre and her famous relatives include Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Gloria and Kathleen Petyarre, Greeny Purvis Petyarre and the Pwerle sisters, Minnie, Emily, Galya and Molly.

It was these relatives who encouraged Dulcie to paint the Desert Yam (or Bush Plum) story from her family’s country which she does so with meticulous execution. Dulcie depicts the leaves of the yam, paying homage to the spirit of this special plant in the hope that it will regenerate.

A very traditional lady, Dulcie lives with her extended family at Utopia and works as a carer at the aged care facility. Dulcie will no doubt delight collectors within Australia and worldwide with the unique art of Utopia, memorable for the amazing colour and flowing imagery.

Like her mother and aunties before her, Dulcie paints the Desert Yam (or Bush Plum) story from her family’s country. The yam grows underground with its viny shrub growing above ground up to one metre high. It is normally found on Spinifex sand plains and produces large flowers after summer rain. The yam is a tuber, or swollen root, of the shrub and tastes much like the common sweet potato. It can be eaten raw or cooked and is still a staple food for the desert aborigines where it can be harvested at any time of the year. It is also renowned for its medicinal properties. This medicine is used to heal cuts, wounds, bites, rashes and as an insect repellent. In this painting, Dulcie depicts the leaves of the yam paying homage to the spirit of this special plant in the hope that it will regenerate.