Janet Golder Kngwarreye Anmatyerre, b. 1973
39 3/8 x 47 1/4 in
Born in 1973 Janet Golder Kngwarreye is a mid generation artist of the Utopia region. Here she depicts the leaves of the native yam or Anaty of her region. The yam grows underground with a viny shrub growing above ground up to 1 metre high. It is normally found in near to acacia trees in the spinifex-filled sand plains. Its brilliant pink flowers emerge after the summer rain. The Anaty is a tuber (or swollen root) of the shrub and tastes like sweet potato. It can be eaten raw or cooked. There is also an ancient creation story that belongs to the Anaty, which women are taught as they enter initiation. Janet is a custodian of this story.