Deutscher and Hackett

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Delmore Gallery which states: 'This is Emu Country called Alalgura. The man Emu's role is to look after emu chicks and keep them in sight of their home and not beyond their preferred seeds and fruits. These foods include the Indoorkwa a small purple plum and the Anooralya a long thin yam. The latter is represented here by the strident figurative strokes outlining the underground growth pattern of the yam and the consequent track of the emu as it moves across the landscape grazing. Emily dwells on bush tucker gathering in happy and abundant times of a good rain season. It is often an important and historical ceremony that is triggered by the nature and/or timing of the season that provokes her memory and lasting emotions. She also believes that through ceremony (Awelye) and her belief in the power of the desert season and consequent crop of bush tucker. Her custodial responsibility is for the preferred food of the emu.'