Nellie Coulthard Tjuntala ngurangka (country with acacia wattle)

I was born near the Wintinna Homestead close to Oodnadatta in South Australia. When I was young we would walk everywhere. That’s how I know this country so well. My painting is about the tjuntala tree (native acacia wattle) that grows everywhere near Oodnadatta and the far east of Indulkana. The flowers are bright yellow and are very beautiful. When the flowers come, it is my favourite time of year, they are so special. My parents taught me how to grind the tjuntala flowers with sand and ashes. We would grind them together into a paste to eat – it’s very sweet and delicious!

Nellie Coutlhard, 2018