Kelly Barclay “Camp Fire” original acrylic on Freshwater Turtle Shell 20cm x 17cm

Description

Artwork Title: Camp Fire
This small shell was found out bush near Doomadgee. During an extended dry season, the small turtles might perish if their swamp dries up. The design shows a camp fire with family around it. You can see the burning wood beneath the fire. The white dotes around the edges is the smoke surrounding the fire.

The Waanyi, Gangalidda and Garrawa people eat this turtle as it is a traditional bush tucker for us. However, it’s easy to tell this animal perished naturally or large birds may have fed on it, as it still has the front (belly-side) shell. When we prepare the Freshwater Turtle for cooking we warm the belly shell and remove it, then remove the intestines and clean the gallbladder.
By Kelly Barclay

Artist:             Kelly Barclay

Born:               1980

Origin:             Doomadgee, QLD

Tribal Group:  Waanyi