Ntang Dreaming

Ntang Dreaming 1989

Utopia, Central Desert, Northern Territory

synthetic polymer paint on canvas

National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 1989 89.1928

Ntang is an Anmatyerr word for seed and in this work it refers

to the edible seeds of alyatywereng (woollybutt grass). These

tiny reddish-coloured seeds are ground up and used to make

seed cakes. While many edible seeds are found in the

ecosystems of Alhalker country, woollybutt grass is regarded

as originating there. It is one of the Dreamings from Alhalker.

In this painting Kngwarray's layers of yellow, black, red and

white dots demonstrate the enduring iconography of this

plant motif. Woollybutt grass also features in several of

Kngwarray's batik works.

Done