Barbara
Weir
Anmatyerre/Alyawarr (born ca.1945)
My Mother's Country, 2006
synthetic polymer paint on linen
152 x 122cm
inscribed verso with artist's name and catalogue number
PROVENANCE
Dacou Aboriginal Art, SA, cat.no.DG06889
Private Collection, Sydney
This painting describes Barbara’s mother’s country, Atnwengerrp
and associated Dreamtime dance (ceremony). The women paint their bodies,
dance, sing and pay homage to their country. As they dance, they stir
up the dust and the rock of the earth, creating trails that are firmly
imprinted in the earth. Submerged under the fine dot pattern are descriptions
of landforms and bush forms. The dense shaped areas describe landmarks
of cultural significance – riverbed, riverbank, rock formations or
caves. Variations in the colour of dot work describe flora and fauna in
different seasons.