Selma Napanangka Tasman - Bush tomato dreaming
Mainie Australia - Bush Tomato Dreaming Painting
Artwork Name: Bush Tomato Dreaming
Artist: Selma Napanangka Tasman
Size: 46 x 30cm loose canvas
Art Story
The Wanakiji Jukurrpa (Bush Tomato Dreaming) travels through Yaturlu (near Mount Theo, North of Yuendumu) “Wanakiji” grows in open spinifex country and is a small, prickly plant with purple flowers that bears green fleshy fruit with many small black seeds. After collecting the fruit, the seeds are removed with a small wooden spoon called ‘kajalarra’. The fruit then can be eaten raw or threaded onto skewers called ‘turlturrpa’ and then cooked over a fire.
‘Wanakiji’ can also be skewered and left to dry. When they are prepared in this way it is called ‘turlturrpa’ and the fruit can be kept for a long time.In contemporary Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa, particular sites and other elements. The Wanakiji Jukurrpa belongs to Napanangka/Napangardi women and Japanangka/ Japangardi men.