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

Bernadine Johnson

Acrylic on Canvas

96 x 63 cm | 24111

$990 AUD

Medicine Leaves

In this luminous and meticulously layered work, Bernadine Johnson presents her interpretation of Medicine Leaves—a sacred plant used by Aboriginal people for healing and protection. The painting draws on knowledge passed down through generations from her family’s Country in Central Australia.

The leaves depicted are those of the Alyawarr bush medicine plant, traditionally used to treat cuts, rashes, bites, and respiratory conditions, and also known for its ceremonial and spiritual properties. Through a flowing pattern of fine brushstrokes, Bernadine creates a hypnotic sense of movement—symbolising the plant’s life force and its power to regenerate and restore.

Earthy browns, soft greens, rich blues, and golden ochres radiate from the centre in a starburst formation, evoking both the vitality of the plant and its connection to the broader rhythms of Country. This work is not only a visual delight but also an offering of respect—to the land, its resources, and the ancestors who taught how to use them.

Bernadine Johnson’s Medicine Leaves paintings are celebrated for their intricate technique and cultural depth, each one honouring the enduring relationship between First Nations people and the natural world.

Colour Pallette – Blue, Teal, Ochre, Yellow