76 x 56cm: acrylic on paper

This is a painting of a maku (witchetty grub), a traditional food of the region. They were considered a valued staple in the diet of women and children. Men also love maku, but seldom dig for them. Maku are the large white larvae of the Cossid moth, found in the roots of an Acacia bush which is commonly known as a Whitchetty Bush. The women look for tell-tale signs under the bush, then dig until they hit the roots. They tap the roots, listening for the sound of a hollow place, and look for a deadened part where the grub has been feeding on the root. Once gathered, Maku are cooked by covering in the ashes and hot sand of a campfire. After 10 minutes or so the inside of the grub is firm like a boiled egg and ready to eat.