Emu and Turkey #

Signed Certificate of Authenticity

Framed by Artist

A$880

Artwork Details

Medium Acrylic, Canvas, Framed by Artist
Dimensions 40.5cm (W) x 40.5cm (H) x 2cm (D)
Review Stars 21,258 Customer Reviews

Indigenous Art Code

As a member of the Indigenous Art Code Bluethumb is proud to have established direct partnerships with some of Australia's most respected First Nation's artists and art centres.


Original Artwork
This artwork is one of a kind!
Free Shipping Australia Wide
Return it for free within 7 days
Estimated Delivery Time from QLD

Saturday, Jun 20 - Monday, Jun 22

Artwork Description

Artist Statement: This story tells of two sisters. They both had a few children each. Emu was the big sister and Turkey was the smaller sister. They were hunters but Emu was better than her sister. One day they went hunting together and they did a lot of hunting but Turkey decided to go back early to cook all her roots and nuts. When she had finished, she hid her cooking stick. Turkey was waiting for her sister. When Emu came home Turkey said to her "Sister, put your hands in the fire to open up the ashes, that's what I did." But Emu burnt all her hands from the hot fire, so that is why you see Emu can't fly today.
Then next day they went hunting again as usual. Emu returned early and she hid some of her children in the grass and was waiting for Turkey. Emu cried "Sister look, I've got only two children - I killed the others so that there would be more food to go around. You've got many kids, why don't you kill them and just keep two.
After Turkey killed her babies, Emu called to her chicks to come out from the hiding place and eat tea. Turkey cried out "You've tricked me!" Turkey got her two children and flew away. So today you can see Emu she's got more chicks than Turkey.
The moral of this story is that sisters should not lie to each other, otherwise you'll make bad enemies with your families. That is the story of the two sisters, Emu and Turkey.

Artist Bio

"I was born in Cloncurry and then my mum brought me back to Mornington Island. I went to school as far as grade 9 and then did a bit of office work in the community. "I entered into a relationship with John Williams and had two sons Jean in 1983 and Dereck in 1984. "Not long after I got very sick and found out that I'm epileptic and at times I end up in hospital so I haven't been able to do much in the last few years. "That's what I like about painting at the Art Centre. It makes me stronger and feel better that I am able to paint, to do something not home sick all the time. "I like to paint about my mother's country on Bentinck Island. She was born at a place called Catfish Story near Minikuri. I also like to paint about my grandfather's country at Miniduri."

Commissions

Betty's studio is in MIART Mornington Island Art