Tree, Fruit, Father, Daughter – in association with Utopia Art Centre

Arrarantenh, Arnwekety, Aynikw, Ayteyikw – Tree, Fruit, Father, Daughter

Motorbike and Elizabeth paint one story. Like arrarantenh and arnwekety they share a seed, a strong root that ties them together. One is not complete without the other. Side by side they make the story. This painting story is called Arrarantenh, Arnwekety, Aynikw, Ayteyikw or Tree, Fruit, Father, Daughter. The story of the two bush plums. One born out of the other.

All the paintings in the exhibition were created on country in Utopia. Both father and daughter live together in their Homeland of Camel Camp. Their country is Arlparra.

This show builds upon the original showing of their work last year. The work draws us into their expansive understanding of interconnectedness.

MOTORBIKE PADDY

Arrarantenh. That old man’s painting it. It’s the same like arnwekety but it’s the first one. Growing like a strong tree. That tree made all the rest. All the bush plums growing all over. The seeds came from that first one.

Arrarantenh. He came from down there. To the West. He coming out now. Travelling underground like water. Black water. When it’s cold in the country. That’s his country. I understood with the old people. My brother, my father. They told me how he goes. “How does arrarantenh go?” Just like water he goes. In the underground. He comes out in our country, that’s the story. That’s the country.

They said “How does he comes? On top?” No, he comes underground, just like water. Black water underneath. Not yellow or red. Comes up in our country from far away. Travelling. Growing here. Coming out in a tree, bush flower and tucker. That’s the story. That’s the song.

“Not arnwekety, arrarantenh. It goes back to arrarantenh mine. I might put them arrarantenh.” there.” – Motorbike Paddy

ELIZABETH MBITJANA

That’s our dreaming, only bush plum. Amern Arnwekety. Sweet ones. Kwaty coming and they’re growing. They start off green then cooked ones go black. You can fill them up in a billy can and eat them. Those seeds move all around the place. Anywhere in Utopia.