Aboriginal Artwork

Aboriginal ArtworkThe artwork of the indigenous peoples of Australia.

- Over 40,000 years of history.

Long, Long AgoIt was long beforeour borders were known by the European outsider.

Then was a time when borders and fences did not exist

We are a people bred from the land

Some of us still practice the traditional ways. These ways have been passed down orally for thousands of years.

Many of us have learned to exist in a modern society. This is a somewhat uneasy relationship since much of our culture is misunderstood.

UluruA very sacred site to the Aborigines.Much happened here in the beginning.The Land

To understand our law, our culture and our relationship to the physical and spiritual world, you must begin with the land.Everything about our society is inextricably woven with, and connected to, the land.Valley of the Winds Walk, Kata Tjuta

Kata Tjuta - aerial viewCulture is the land.We are dancing, singing, and painting for the land.We are celebrating the land.

Kata Tjuta - aerial viewPeople say that country knows, Hears, smells, takes notice, takes care, is sorry or happyCountry is a living entity with a yesterday, today and tomorrow, with a consciousness, and a will toward life.

Red Ochre GroupFigures are often elongated. They are stylized to express important ideas or events rather than depict realistically.

Begin with a simple line drawing of an animal, person or other object.The X-Ray ViewDecide what layers you wish to show: bones, muscles, organs,etc.Remember: the X-ray is meant to show the essence of the subject rather than the exact look of it.

Wallarwhroo and Allawhroo Kevin Waina

Much of the earliest artwork is to be found on the face of rock walls and in caves.Some of these images have been redrawn many times. Others have been overlapped with new drawings for many hundreds of years.Continuity is important to the Aborigines. . .

Kangaroo, Fish Superimposed Layers artists unknown 3 Mimis with weapons, Goanna, Barramundi, Longneck Turtle Luke Nganjmirra

Ochres to paint with

Visual Icons This is the closest thing the Aborigines get to a written language. Many of the icons have multiple meanings and may only be interpreted through context.

Love Story Clifford Possum Japaltjarri

Womens Ceremony Carol Nampitjinpa

Diver Duck Dance David Malangi

The art can be very abstractor somewhat naturalistic.

Crabs Narratjin

Bushfire Gabriella Possum Nungarrayi

Mantarrkurra II Nancy Ross Nungurrayi

Magjalindy Valley Mignonette Jamine

Lissadell Station Maybel Wac Pitt Range

Kangaroo and Fire Dreaming Timmy Payungka, 1999

Wet Season Storms at Sturt Creek Nellie Gordon

Old Woman and Python Dreaming, Riley Major Tjangala

Saltwater Crocodile Mick Kubarrku

Sturt Creek near Billiluna Nellie Gordon

Carved Figures from indigenous woods.

Lizard Clara Inkarnala

Crocodile Craig Koomeeta