I was born in 1942 in the
old Alice Springs hospital to Wildred and Lucy Swift of Hermannsburg. I was the
second born child, my older sister Amy is deceased. My parents later adopted
another sister for me, Alisan. My father worked in the Mission store at
Areyonga, and my mother worked as a housemaid for the local pastor at the time.
I have five children, four daughters, one son, and nine
grandchildren.
As a young woman I would site and watch my mother's brother (who
was also a Lutheran Minister) paint and make artefacts out in the bush. It was
through him that Iwas inspired to start painting myself.
I have been painting for about 30 years. Two of my daughters
paint and my 6year old granddaughter is also learning to paint. My paintings
tell stories of family, bush tucker gathering and dreamtime stories. My
grandchildren love to watch me paint as I tell them stories and explain to them
the meaning of the different symbols used. In this modern days we have adapted
to the use of acrylic paint to illustrate the same stories that were originally
told with drawings done by hand on bare ground.
I enjoy painting and passing on the gift to the following
generations. It is an important part of our culture as Aboriginal People.
Her Dreaming include:
Women Ceremonies
Other works include:
Bush Potato
Bush Tucker / Bush Food
Honey Ants
Honey Ants and Goannas
Rainbow Serpent
Women Hunting/Gathering Bush Tucker
|
