In the corner of one of the six panels in Untitled, 1995 there is a section where Kngwarray made several handprints directly on the canvas, but with an uncertain intent. The handprints are partially clouded by the vigorous application of overlaid pale, rosy lines that sweep over a contrasting olive undercoat.
Other works of this style and era have a similar wild energy with a wide-ranging palette used for the base and overlays of sketchy infill. Mern is a term for fruits and vegetables (edible plant foods) and this style of broad passes and constellations of close-knitted scribbles across the canvas reads as a shorthand gesture to capture the breadth of the subject matter. The technique of creating a scrim of gossamer-like sweeping strokes appears to have a relationship to the broad translucent linework featured in works of the same period. The painterly patina in these works embodies the angular geometric growth of the pencil yam vines above ground, while the freehand strokes evoke the movement of grasses.
