Amwekety (Bush Plum), 2001 by Gracie Morton, 152x122cm, Cat 6186GM

"Amwekety (Bush Plum), 2001" by Gracie Morton beautifully depicts her Bush Plum (Amwekety) Dreaming, linked to her traditional country of Mosquito Bore, 263 km north of Alice Springs. Using an aerial perspective, Gracie’s delicate dotting and color variation vividly capture the surrounding landscape during the summer months when Bush Plum seeds split open and their husks scatter over the ground. Her meticulous attention to detail is evident in each individual dot.

The Bush Plum is a prostrate plant that bursts into vibrant color after rain but quickly disintegrates in the intense summer heat. This small fruit, with black seeds, can be eaten raw or cooked into bush damper and is extremely high in vitamin C.

Gracie Morton Pwerle, from the Alyawarre language group in Utopia, southeast of Alice Springs, upholds her cultural heritage through her art. Her painting not only highlights the natural beauty of the Bush Plum but also reflects the deep cultural significance and traditions associated with it, showcasing her connection to her ancestral land and the rich Dreaming stories passed down through generations.