About the Artwork

This painting is about Joomena's Ngaginyji Joomooloony, her boab tree. "The boab tree we are born under becomes our special tree; this one is Ngaginyji Joomooloony, which means 'My Boabtree'" Joomena was born on the side of a dusty highway along the road to Ord River and next to the creek that runs into Birnuwun (Alice Downs), her traditional county. The family had ventured out on a fishing trip when her mum went into labour and was ‘laid down, with her sisters in law’ and gave birth. The women stayed under the boab until ready to go back to camp.