Alice is telling a story about maku (witchetty grub), a traditional food of the Aboriginal in the desert region. They were considered a valued staple in the diet of women and children. Men also love maku, but seldom dig for them. Maku are the large white larvae of the Cossid moth, found in the roots of an Acacia bush which is commonly known as a Whitchetty Bush. The women look for tell-tale signs under the bush, then dig until they hit the roots. They tap the roots, listening for the sound of a hollow place, and look for a deadened part where the grub has been feeding on the root. Once gathered, Maku are cooked by covering in the ashes and hot sand of a campfire. After 10 minutes or so the inside of the grub is firm like a boiled egg and ready to eat.
Maku Tjukurrpa (Witchetty Grub Dreaming)
A$290
A$290
Artwork Details
Medium | Acrylic, Canvas (Requires Framing) |
Dimensions | 71cm (W) x 30cm (H) x 1cm (D) |
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Artwork Description
Artist Bio
Alice was born in in the Derwent Creek bed near Papunya. She has three children and worked at the school a long time ago. Her husband was Jimmy Japanangka who passed away many years ago and her mother was Pilari Naparrula. These days Alice lives in Papunya with her two sisters, who are also artists, Maureen and Glenda. Similarly to her sisters, Alice is a determined artist who is at the Papunya Tjupi Art Centre daily. Alice says she is now painting her dreaming story about the two Napanangka Women.