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Evelyn Pultara Bush Yam 2005
Acrylic on linen 1795 x 1300mm $6900
An important part of the woman’s role in traditional Aboriginal Culture is to collect bush foods. Carrying bowls
(Coolamons) are used to collect the seeds of plants, flowers and bulbs. Wild yams, onions, tomatoes, beans,
apples, cherries and plums provide ideal sustenance for desert dwellers. Evelyn keeps the Bush Yam Story alive
through her paintings, as taught to her by her Aunt Emily Kngwarreye. The Yams are collected by digging deep
into the soil using sharp digging utensils either made from carved wood or more commonly today, a metal crow
bar. The Yams are exposed amongst the root system of the yam bush.