Wildflowers, 2008 by Jeannie Nakamarra Daniels, 122x91cm Cat 13592JD

Wildflowers, 2008 by Jeannie Nakamarra Daniels: A Celebration of Tradition and Healing

"Wildflowers, 2008" by Jeannie Nakamarra Daniels is a vibrant and colourful artwork that highlights the significance of wildflowers used as bush medicine. When crushed and mixed with water, these wildflowers serve as a rubbing ointment for burns, scabies, and other ailments, demonstrating their importance in traditional healing practices.

The painting depicts Tjikrti, a site near Mina Mina in the Tanami Desert, which is part of Jeannie's family's traditional country. This area holds deep cultural and personal significance, as it is also where her mother, artist Sarah Daniels, grew up.

Normally based in Balgo with her mother, Jeannie created this piece while staying with her mother's sister, Mitjili Napanangka Gibson, in Alice Springs. The aunt-niece relationship is vital in Aboriginal culture for the transmission of traditional knowledge, with a strong emphasis on cultural stories and practices.

This painting is part of a larger body of work that Jeannie developed during her stay with her aunt in 2008. "Wildflowers, 2008" beautifully encapsulates the rich traditions and natural healing practices of Jeannie's heritage, serving as a testament to the enduring bonds between culture, family, and the land.