335-25 – Bush Tucker – VERONICA DANIELS

Artist : VERONICA DANIELS
Title : Bush Tucker
Size/Medium : 1219 x 610mm: acrylic on canvas Painting

Biography :

Veronica Daniels is a gifted artist from Yuendumu, with deep roots in both her birthplace and the remote community of Balgo.

The daughter of the esteemed Warlayirti artist and senior Law woman Sarah (Manaya) Daniels, Veronica inherited not only a remarkable artistic talent but also a profound cultural wisdom passed down through generations.

Her artwork is a reflection of her mother’s Country, Mina Mina, and her father’s land around Yuendumu, capturing the spiritual essence of these places that form the backbone of her identity. Through her paintings, Veronica tells stories of the land, drawing on the traditions that have shaped her life.

Her canvases come alive with vibrant depictions of mangarri (bush tucker) — from kumpupatja (bush tomato) to ngaarlukutu (bush coconut) and tjirrilpatja (bush carrots). The sacred tjurnu (waterholes) and the rainbow serpent, figures that carry deep spiritual meaning, are woven into her art, grounding her work in the stories of survival, sustenance, and the unbreakable spiritual bond between people and Country.

A mother of three, a grandmother of four, and a proud matriarch with an ever-growing line of great-grandchildren, Veronica’s art is not only a means of preserving her rich cultural heritage but also a way of passing it on to future generations. Through her masterful use of colour and the power of storytelling, she continues to strengthen the legacy of Warlayirti Artists and the profound cultural traditions of her ancestors.

Story :

In this painting, Veronica shares the stories of her mother, Sarah Daniels’ country — a land rich with life, memory, and sacred connections.

The circular shapes that dance across the canvas represent the tjurnu (waterholes), the lifeblood of this land, each one a wellspring of stories, sustenance, and spiritual significance. These waterholes, scattered across the country, are more than just physical landmarks; they are places of deep cultural meaning, where the ancestors’ spirits reside.

The sections of varying colors and dots are a visual celebration of the mangarri (bush tucker) that thrives in this land — a bounty of food that nourishes both body and spirit. Each vibrant patch and intricate pattern tells the tale of the land’s abundance, where bush tomatoes, wild figs, and other precious foods grow in harmony with the country’s sacred rhythms.

Through her brush, Veronica connects the past with the present, honoring the land that shaped her mother’s life and continues to inspire her own. This painting is not only a reflection of country, but a living testament to the endless cycle of life, survival, and tradition that flows through the generations.