Bush Tucker - Honey Ants by Joan Sultan, 31x31cm FJ045JS

"Bush Tucker - Honey Ants" by Joan Sultan highlights the significance of honey ants in Aboriginal culture, regarded as the earthly manifestation of the Seven Sisters. This important Dreaming story connects to various narratives across regions, including Papunya in the Central Desert.

In Sultan's painting, the central circle symbolises the honey ants' nest, typically found under shrubs or trees. The honey is carefully sucked from the ants' abdomens without harming them, allowing them to continue producing honey. This honey is celebrated for its potent antibacterial properties, used for thousands of years as a remedy for sore throats and for healing wounds.

Joan Sultan, a member of the Kaytetye clan from Barrow Creek in the Northern Territory, belongs to a family rich in artistic talent. Her siblings, June Sultan and Trephina Sultan, are also noted artists. Sultan’s work captures the essential role of honey ants in traditional bush tucker practices, reflecting the deep cultural heritage and natural wisdom of the Aboriginal people. Through her detailed and symbolic representation, Sultan not only showcases the nutritional and medicinal value of honey ants but also preserves the rich storytelling tradition of her community, highlighting their enduring connection to the land and its resources.