Camping on walkabout

"Painting shows Aboriginal people setting up camp on their walkabout – in and around the centre of Australia. The land being dry and barren – trees are short and stumpy so their bark becomes unsuitable for huts to sleep in. So they use branches and twigs for skeleton framework, and line with spinifex rushes. Painting shows trees, bushes and their shade. Dead logs also.

Skeleton framework left standing; two Aboriginal men gather spinifex and entwine through half completed hut and so Aboriginal woman takes little boy inside completed hut. These huts, when completed, are walled, and have skin floor and also skin doormat.

Two dogs play near spears and woomeras – spear throwers. Hunters having found water – two filled skin bags – and goanna and snake. Aboriginal women gathered two bark baskets of fruit and veges. – herbs. Skeleton frameworks are left standing for the next mob of Aboriginal people on walkabout."

Milton Budge, 1989