Bush Medicine Leaves by Abie Loy Kemarre, 41x41cm

Bush Medicine Leaves – Abie Loy Kemarre

In Bush Medicine Leaves , acclaimed Indigenous Australian artist Abie Loy Kemarre pays homage to the sacred medicinal plants that have been vital to her people for generations. Through her intricate, rhythmic brushstrokes, she invokes the spirit of the bush medicine plant, encouraging its regeneration and continued healing power. This artistic tradition is deeply rooted in Anmatyerre cultural knowledge, symbolising the enduring connection between Country, healing practices, and ancestral wisdom.

Symbolism & Cultural Significance

Bush Medicine Leaves paintings depict a dense, flowing pattern of Kurrajong tree leaves, meticulously hand-painted to represent the changing seasons and the life cycle of nature. Traditionally, the leaves of the Kurrajong tree( Brachychiton species) were crushed, soaked, and used for their renowned healing properties —a practice passed down through generations. While contemporary interpretations of medicine leaves paintings may include foliage from other trees, the Kurrajong remains the most sacred and symbolic due to its traditional medicinal uses.

This distinctive art style was pioneered by Abie's grandmother, the celebrated Indigenous artist Gloria Petyarre, whose masterpiece Leaves gained international recognition for its intricate layers of finely executed brushstrokes. Her innovation bridged the gap between traditional Aboriginal art and contemporary art movements, elevating Bush Medicine Leaves Dreaming to global prominence. Today, many Indigenous artists from Utopia continue this artistic legacy, using bush medicine leaves as a powerful motif to honor their culture and sustain their connection to Country.

Abie Loy Kemarre: A Custodian of Ancestral Knowledge

As an award-winning artist from the Utopia region, approximately 300 km northeast of Alice Springs, Abie Loy Kemarre comes from an esteemed family of painters. She is the granddaughter of Kathleen Petyarre and part of a lineage that has significantly shaped Australian Indigenous art. Her paintings not only celebrate Bush Medicine Leaves Dreaming but also serve as a visual testament to the deep cultural and ecological knowledge held by her people.

Abie’s work is highly sought after for its exceptional detail, spiritual depth, and contemporary aesthetic, making her a leading figure in modern Indigenous Australian art.