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About the Artists
Our vibrant and dynamic artists are from the Utopia region; a large remote area of Central Australia which, until recently, had no government funded art centre. As a result of their pioneering efforts, they have one of the strongest and richest art histories.
Ilyarnayt
Ilyarn or Ilyarnayt (Wattle)
Ngkwarlerlanem and Arnkawenyerr Countries
The Ilyarn, or Ilyarnayt, is a common variety of Acacia and is particularly favoured for the abundance of edible grubs living in its roots (known simply as ilyarnayt and are similar to a witchetty grub) and also its seeds (ntang ilyarnayt). These seeds can be collected, ground into a paste and used for making damper (bread).
As is common for many acacia's, this plant has small lemon-yellow ball flowers and many artists from Ngkwarlerlanem and Arnkawenyerr in northern Utopia are found to paint them. The seeds are also commonly found in their paintings, represented through dot work, and sometimes the grubs are depicted as well. There is an important Dreamtime story for this plant that belongs to these countries.
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