Description
The inspiration for my ghost gum painting painting is Australia’s ghost gum. With its beautiful white bark, it has been made famous through the artwork of Hermannsburg watercolour artist Albert Namatjira, a Western Arrernte artist
Ghost gums tend to grow in open woodland areas, often standing alone. Another place they can be found is clinging to the rocky hillsides in the many gorges and along creeks.
In season, the bark turns a powdery white, the dust used to whiten tribal headbands for indigenous ceremonial occasions.
Gum from the tree was used as a leech repellent and an antiseptic relief from burns. Properties and preparation from the bark were used to fight chest infections and sore eyes.