MANWAK RED COTTON DRILL

Prices are listed per metre. Hand printed in our studio in Leichhardt as a 2 colour print on pink cotton drill. Uses: Clothing, curtains/blinds, lampshades, tablecloths, craft, soft furnishings, light upholstery, tea towels

Print: Manwak (Mumeka Blooms)
By Deborah Wurrkidj
From Babbarra Women’s Centre

Manwak grows near Mumeka creek, on the artist’s homeland. This beautiful large flower blooms during the mandjelk (wet season). It has deep green petals with a central red kernel which swells to the size of a berry. It is known for its long, sweeping petals which seem to dance in the winds.
By dry season, the inside kernel resembles a strawberry in appearance and flavour, but is also very spicy so it burns our mouth. Kids and adults pick these berries enthusiastically when walking or going hunting on my country. The inside of the flowers are eaten fresh, a favourite manme (bush food) of our people.
“When I was painting this Manwak story, I was painting in Maningrida. In my head I was dreaming of being on my homeland, eating ripe Manwak berries”
– Deborah Wurrkidj