WITH its overlapping whorls in dot depiction, Marshall's seed dreaming reaches new heights of abstraction. Never afraid to work within a simple colour band, Marshall wields tremendous skill to bring us another view of the seed gathering story that is his birthright.
The Watiya-warnu is the seed bearing tree that grows in open spinifex or mulga country. After a day spent collecting seed, large windbreaks are made for shelter to winnow the seed in the late afternoon. The women grind the immature seed into a paste to treat upset stomachs.
The associated ceremony involves the preparation of a large ground painting that belongs to Nampijinpa/Nangala women and Jampijinpa/Jangala men.