Yala (Bush Potato Dreaming), 1999 by Lorna Napurrurla Fencer 63x78cm

This fabulous work, in its expressive and joyful fluidness, is a great example of Lorna Fencer placing the Yarla (also spelt Yala) Jukurrpa in country. It is about the dreamtime and ceremony, where women of the Napurrula, Nakamarra, Jakamarra and Jupurrula skin groups search the countryside for yala (bush potato).

The meandering lines is the the network of roots and branches of the bush potato plant growing underground. The green is the leaves, whilst the other colours depict the bush potatoes. The bush potato (also called yams) is an important bush food staple for the aboriginal people, and plays an important part in their dreaming.

Encircling where the Yarla grows is the bold track of red, referencing country. This is the place where the women dig to retrieve the wild yams. Lorner is a senior custodian for this Dreaming which takes place at Mirirrinyungu (Duck Ponds, also known as Winnecke Creek Flood out) in the Northern Territory, Australia. She has painted a large tract of country through which the dreaming runs some of which is under flood waters.

The artist painted right to the edge of canvas so painting is best in frame