This painting, Winter Season, 1991 is a very good early example of Emily Kngwarreye work. Paintings of this period are held in the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, and major private collections.

The calmer and restorative mood of the bush at such times is demonstrated in Emily's response. Her studied steady hand displays the earth covered in a carpeted variety of grasses and flowers that fatten all wildlife and provide seeds for the foodgatherer to harvest.

Underpinning the dot work is a linked network of the yam growth pattern. The overlay of dots reflects the country after a rare slowsoaking rain with the yellow flower of the yam in bloom and the winter grasses gradually responding.

Recognising the energy inherent in the red-soil plains and the heart-felt gratitude to the response of country that ensures survival is evident in all works produced by this amazing artist.

JANET HOLT