Amwekety (Bush Plum), 2001 by Gracie Morton 152x92cm Cat 6558GM

"Amwekety (Bush Plum), 2001" by Gracie Morton is a beautifully subtle depiction of her Bush Plum (Amwekety) Dreaming, linked to her traditional country of Mosquito Bore, approximately 263 km north of Alice Springs. Using an aerial perspective, Gracie’s delicate dotting and color variations capture the landscape during the summer months when bush plum seeds split open and husks scatter across the ground.

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.

The Bush Plum Dreaming site is one of the major Dreamings in the Utopia region. Throughout this painting, there is a profusion of dry seeds from the native bush plum (Canthium latifolium), a fruit that thrives in the area. The native currant grows on a tall, straight, thin, broad-leaved tree, initially green, and turns black as it ripens, forming small black clusters.

The arc shapes depict the ritual activities of women singing, dancing, and painting ceremonial body designs (awelye) on their limbs. These designs are applied in parallel horizontal and vertical lines and streaks during ceremonies.

Gracie Morton Pwerle, from the Alyawarre language group, upholds her cultural heritage through her art. Her surname appears in various spellings (Pwerle, Pwerl, Purle, or Ngale) due to different linguistic interpretations.