Bush Médecine, 2000 by Abie Kemarre Loy 130x51cm

This painting refers simultaneously to awelye or women’s ceremonies and the body paint designs that are worn for the duration; and to a plant known as Titye , a tree whose leaf is used in traditional bush medicine.

In her artistic life, Abie has expressed many different painting styles in her work. Here she captures with finesse the linear design element of the body paint ceremony, whilst incorporating the tradition of bush medicine in a composition that balances repetition and colour.

During ceremony, the leaves of the Titye are picked as new growth, boiled with fat and then rubbed into the skin, acting somewhat like a muscle tonic. Healing internally as well as externally.

Abie says this particular bush medicine is still made and used by the people of her country today.

“Ikwerthey anter-anem thelem, apernelheyew-anem antywerlenyel”
Then you pour the fat into it and rub yourself with the antywerleny.

This altyerre (an Arandic word that relates to Alcheringa , 'dream-times ') of Abie’s has been passed down to her by her father; while her aunt, Rita Pwerl Loy, is responsible for ensuring that she maintains her obligations in regards to it.

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This painting refers simultaneously to awelye or women’s ceremonies and the body paint designs that are worn for the duration; and to a plant known as Titye , a tree whose leaf is used in traditional bush medicine. Abie’s finesse as a painter is expressed in many different styles. Here she captures with superb linearity and wonderful use of colour the different stages of the Titye leaves growth. While it is still young, represented by the pale greenish lines, the leaves are picked; boiled with fat; and then rubbed into the skin, acting somewhat like a muscle tonic. As the leaves mature they take on many different hues, all of which Abie has explored here.

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"Usually Abie's bush medicine leaf paintings are found in warm mixes of reds, yellows and white, or in cool, watery blues. It is uncommon to see a pastel-charged piece in pink and purple such as this enchanted piece. This is one of the reasons this piece is featured in Enchanted." - Curator's Picks

In this painting Abie depicts the leaf of the antywerleny (Acacia tenuissima), a type of wattle. The leaves of the antywerleny are crushed and mixed with animal fat for use as a medicinal ointment, or soaked in water to make a medicinal wash. Abie says this particular bush medicine is still made and used by the people of her country today.

“Ikwerthey anter-anem thelem, apernelheyew-anem antywerlenyel”
Then you pour the fat into it and rub yourself with the antywerleny.

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In this painting, Abie depicts the leaves of the antywerleny (Acacia tenuissima), a type of wattle. The leaves of the antywerleny are crushed and mixed with animal fat for use as a medicinal ointment, or soaked in water to make a medicinal wash. Abie says this particular bush medicine is still made and used by the people of her country today.

“Ikwerthey anter-anem thelem, apernelheyew-anem antywerlenyel”
(Then you pour the fat into it and rub yourself with the antywerleny) – Abie