This painting tells the story of gathering mud mussels in Helen’s Country, a seasonal practice that takes place during the middle of the year. Large circular forms represent the mature mussels resting in place, while smaller connected circles trace the movements of younger mussels carried by the tides. Tiny dots scattered across the surface evoke the smallest mussels hidden among the mudflats.
Embedded within this story of harvest are memories of birth and family. Woven forms reference traditional baby baskets and paperbark swaddles, while mussel shells recall their use in cutting the umbilical cord. The work celebrates the deep connections between Country, sustenance, motherhood, and cultural knowledge passed from one generation to the next.
