c. 1975
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Ilkawerne (El-go-an-na) , Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Wood Carving
Subjects:Ngkwerlp (Wild Tobacco) Story, Shifting Sand Hills, Grinding Stone
Daughter of Doreen and Harold Payne, Violet is a very talented artist and has been painting from an early age. She enjoys community projects, whether it is painting acrylics on canvas, carving wood or painting the varied seeds that are strung together to make necklaces.
Violet married Stewart Rumble (Mary Rumble's nephew) in 2015.
Artist: Violet Payne Ngale
Size: 90 x 30cm
Title: Ngkwerlp (Wild Tobacco) Story
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Year Painted: 2021
Ngkwerlp (Wild Tobacco) Story
Violet paints the story of the wild tobacco or pituri (Nicotiana spp.). In Violet's language it is called Ngkwerlp. This herb has soft leaves and creamy white, trumpet shaped flowers with two-valved seed capsules. Occurring naturally in Central Australia, it is found plentiful in Violet's home in the Utopia Region, north east of Alice Springs. The leaf of the plant is picked and chewed by the aboriginal people and can also be used for medicinal purposes. In the olden days, and in some areas today, the seeds would be collected and replanted by the aboriginal people.
Dot work represents the seeds of the Ngkwerlp, a very important aspect of the story, promoting growth. The Ilkawerne women (U shaped symbols) are collecting the Ngkwerlp and have their digging sticks and coolamons (carved wooden bowls).
