Watercolor and gold leaf, 2021.

18” x 24”

Original available

The Bluetongue Lizard originates from Australian Aboriginal mythology. Bluetongue was an old man, trickster and powerful sorcerer who pretended he was blind so his sons would hunt for him. When his sons left to go hunting, Bluetongue would sneak off and do his own hunting.

The gold leaf background was inspired by aboriginal fabrics, which often feature dots in their design. These patterns are often used as a way to convey knowledge of the land, events and beliefs of the Aboriginal people.

Trickster tales suggest the conditions of life and spirit, the acquisition of knowledge and power, and how to survive. Many of these legends are hundreds of years old - told through stories that allowed people to be together, learn, and pass the time. Tricksters teach the art of surviving and triumphing in the face of inhospitable environments, and remind us that sometimes we must do the unexpected in order to succeed.

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