Australian Art Collective – Art for Everyone | Australian Aboriginal Art Gallery

Bernadine Johnson has been painting the Medicine Leaves store from her family’s country. The Bush yam grows underground with the viny shrub growing above ground and produces flowers after the summer rain. The yam tastes similar to sweet potato and is a staple food for aboriginal people as it can be harvested any time of the year. It is a very versatile plant that is also heavily used in Bush Medicine to heal cuts, wounds, bites, rashes and as an insect repellent. In painting Medicine Leaves Aboriginal people are paying homage to the spirits of these important plants to encourage rejuvination.

Bernadine Johnson | Medicine Leaves | 24111

Acrylic on canvas | 96 x 63 cm