SKU: 10135
synthetic polymer on canvas
121 x 205 cm
2006
The ‚Mountain Devil Dreaming‘ celebrates the Thorny Devil Lizard that is found throughout central Australia. lt is a small, fearsome looking creature but it has a harmless, placid nature and relies on the striking appearance of its ‘thorny‘ skin to scare away predators. Its other defence is to change colour to blend easily into the environment.

In Mountain Devil Dreaming, the artist paints the changing patterns of the Iizard‘s skin. Aboriginal people believe that during the Dreamtime this small lizard collected and carried ochres in a pouch located at the back of its neck. As it walked the land it deposited these ochres in various places throughout the country. Aboriginal people consider the ochre sacred and they use it to paint their bodies for ceremonies.