Bessie Nakamarra Sims (1932-2012) Aboriginal Artist - Intit. "dream Of The Bushy Carrot"

Ngarlajiyi is a tiny plant that grows on the banks of streams and in sandy soils and is commonly called bush carrot or small yam. It has a small edible tuber resembling a carrot. Its botanical name is Vigna lanceolata. The country associated with this dream is Waputarli or Mount Singleton, west of Yuendumu. The design of this painting simulates the growth cycle of 'ngarlajiyi', telling the story of how, after rain, the plant grows quickly and widely, spreading across the country. This design is taken from women's ceremonial body painting. Napurrurla/Nakamarra women and Jupurrurla/Jakamarra men are the guardians of this dream and the country associated with it. In Waripiri paintings, traditional iconography is used to depict the Jukurrpa, particular sites and other elements. Concentric circles are often used to represent "ngarlajiyi" fruit plants, while large concentric circles often represent Yilkirdi, a rock hole in the Waputarli region belonging to the same Dreaming. These large concentric circles can also represent the base of the “ngarlajiyi” plant whose surface roots extend in the direction of reverie, represented by radiating lines. The clusters shown at the end of these radiating lines generally illustrate the “jinjila” (flowers) of the bush carrot.