Women digging for goannas by Bonita Nungurrayi Williams 31x41cm CAN-BW-09

"Women Digging for Goannas" by Bonita Nungurrayi Williams vividly portrays the traditional practice of women searching for goannas, a crucial food source. The women are represented by U shapes beside their digging sticks and coolamons (gathering bowls). Goannas hold significant nutritional and cultural value in Central Australian communities.

Bonita Nungurrayi Williams, born in Alice Springs in 1971, has dedicated most of her life to her hometown, with some time spent traveling in Western Australia. She has been painting for about eight years, learning from her mother, an artist from Ti Tree who speaks Anmatyerre. Married with four children, Bonita honors her heritage through her art. Her totems are the goanna and snake, but she often paints various bush foods such as witchetty grubs, honey ants, and berries, reflecting her deep cultural connections.

Bonita's artwork not only captures the significance of traditional food gathering practices but also serves as a tribute to her rich cultural heritage. Through her vibrant paintings, she brings to life the traditions and stories of her people, ensuring the preservation and celebration of her ancestral roots. Her meaningful depictions of bush foods and totems highlight the deep cultural connections and practices of Aboriginal Australia