Kevin Bird Mpetyane - Tyankem (Mulga berries) Dreaming

Artwork Name: Tyankem (Mulga berries) Dreaming

Artist: Kevin Bird Mpetyane

Size: 120cm x 60cm un-stretched canvas

Art Story

Kevin paints the story of the Tyankern. This is a very important story for Kevin that belongs to his country, llkawerne. This story, its songs, dances and symbols have been passed down to Kevin from his father. The tyankern is a sweet edible berry that belongs to a type of mistletoe found growing on the nrnlga tree. In the Dreamtime these two plants are one. In this painting, concentric circles are symbols representing this sacred men’s story.

Parallel lines stemming from the concentric circles represent song lines or travelling lines of the llkawerne people associated with this story. Coloured circles equal clearings the men make for easier collection of the tyankern. Dot work in the background symbolizes the different colours that the tyankern go through during maturity. Wavy lines represent Utnea (carpet snake) slowly making his way through the country.