Eunice Napangardi (1950-2005) Australia Aboriginal Yuparli Bush Banana Dreaming Painting This is stylized depiction of the bush banana plant with a central radiating flower cluster and bulbous pod surrounded by the creeping, twining vines and narrow leaves that climb desert trees. It is created using a traditional aboriginal pointillist dot pattern technique. Made famous by the Central and Western Desert art movements of the 1970s, this technique uses sticks or brushes to apply fine or bold dots. Originally used in ceremonial body painting and sand art, dots were often used to create a shimmering aura, creating vibrating energy fields, optical illusions, and abstract landscapes. The Bush Banana is a central, sacred totem and vital traditional food source in Warlpiri culture and was a signature theme of Eunice Napangardi. Acrylic on canvas Circa 1990 Signed Eunice on back and OUTBACK ART Stamp: Authentic Aboriginal Art Framed dimensions: 27.5" x 14.75" x 2"D Aboriginal dream paintings are made to be viewed from above and have no intended orientation. May be displayed vertically or horizontally. Newly framed and wired both ways. Eunice Napangardi, a pioneering women in the Western Desert art movement, initially assisted male painters (most notably her partner, Kaapa Tjampitjinpa) before emerging as an artist herself in the late 80s. She was a dedicated and prolific artist, sometimes painting up to ten hours a day. Over her career, she completed significant commissions, including a large work for the Alice Springs Airport. She also travelled extensively for exhibitions. In 1991 she showed work in Sydney with Maxie Tjampitjinpa, and in 1992 in an international exhibition in Washington, D.C. She was also one of only three women selected for a major Bicentennial Traveling Exhibition in 1988.