Skip to main content
Painting of Australian Aboriginal Imagery
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library
Painting of Australian Aboriginal Imagery
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library

Painting of Australian Aboriginal Imagery

Artifact SeriesHead of State Gifts
Artifact IDFO.073309
Object Type Painting
Artist (Australian, 1934 - 2020)
Intended Recipient (American, 1961)
Medium canvas, paint, pencil
DimensionsOverall - 2D L 23 5/8 in x W 25 1/2 in (64.8 cm x 60 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionPainting of a sleeping baby in a wooden cradle surrounded by aboriginal designs in multiple colors. There are aboriginal foods painted throughout, including native peaches and Witchetty grubs. The painting is on an unframed piece of canvas.
Inscriptions and MarkingsInscribed on reverse: Displayed on The Family is some of the Aboriginal bush fruit, which has been gathered by Aboriginal woman, and is eaten by all Aboriginal People [illegible], as you can see a baby resting in a wooden cradle and the woman are sitting around the sleeping baby, this is shown by a large circle of woman with their digging sticks. The fruit in this painting includes wild peaches, (in Aboriginal language (Boora) witchetty grub, (Buddy) which is High in vitamins and also quinoa. There are still many more. There are still many more aboriginal fruits through out Australia, signed [artist’s signature] 79, year’s young
InscribedInscribed on reverse: Displayed on The Family is some of the
Aboriginal bush fruit, which has been
gathered by Aboriginal woman, and is eaten
by all Aboriginal People [illegible], as you
can see a baby resting in a wooden
cradle and the woman are sitting around
the sleeping baby, this is shown by a large
circle of woman with their digging sticks.
The fruit in this painting includes
wild peaches, (in Aboriginal language (Boora)
witchetty grub, (Buddy) which is High in vitamins
and also quinoa. There are still many more.
There are still many more aboriginal fruits
through out Australia,
signed
[artist’s signature]
79, year’s young
Custodial History / ProvenanceThe item was a gift from a foreign official to President Barack Obama during the Obama administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January 2017 for deposit with the Obama Presidential Library.Additional Details
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Barack Obama Presidential Library. The Barack Obama Presidential Library does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Related Links