Bush Plum, 2001 by Gracie Morton 168x152cm Cat 6296GM

"Bush Plum, 2001" by Gracie Morton is a mesmerising painting that changes color depending on the light. Its detailed and intricate technical application makes it captivating both from a distance and up close. In daylight, it reveals purples and rich reds intermingled with soft greys and whites, while indoor lighting softens the tones.

The theme of Bush Plum Dreaming, expressed in various seasons, is central to Gracie Morton's body of work. She belongs to the Alyawarre language group in Utopia, southeast of Alice Springs. Gracie upholds her cultural heritage, with her surname appearing in various spellings (Pwerle, Pwerl, Purle, or Ngale) due to different linguistic interpretations.

The Bush Plum Dreaming site is one of the major Dreamings of the Utopia region. The painting showcases a profusion of dry seeds from the native bush plum, a prolific fruit in the area. This native currant grows on a tall, straight, thin, broad-leaved tree that starts green and turns purple then black as it ripens, forming small black clusters.

Intersecting lines in the painting represent 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.