Australian Aboriginal Art

The haunting atmosphere of the Dreamtime, and the art produced by the Indigenous people.

With aboriginal art of Australia the Dreaming is the single most important influence, whether it is painting, sculpture or performing arts.

Aboriginal or Indigenous ancient traditional painting was only previously done ceremonially in ochre on rock walls, bodies, artefacts and in the sand.

The people are protective of their culture, land and Dreamtime, which is their belief of creation.

All of these are interwoven into their art whether it be paintings, sculpture or performing.

Rock art was painted for a number of reasons:

• Hunting: animals were often painted to increase their abundance and to ensure a successful hunt by placing people in touch with the spirit of the animal.
• Religious significance: at some sites paintings depict aspects of particular ceremonies.
  They also had a sense of humour by painting about relationships.
• Stories and learning: stories associated with the Creation Ancestors, who gave shape to the world were painted.
• Sorcery and magic: paintings could be used to manipulate events and influence people's lives.
  Everyday life: fun, play and relationships

Telling the story is more important than the art itself as shown here in this graphic.

This art work tells how the Platypus was created as told by the Gubbi Gubbi storyteller: "The snakes attacked the man because he was killing and eating them, he was transformed into a platypus."

Ceremonies known as Corroborees were and still are performed. They comprise an elaborate storytelling and ritualistic basis.

In this tradition: paintings, sculpture, dances and songs relating to the Dreamtime are repeating the work of Ancestors, thus keeping the Dreaming alive.

Carvings were also done on rocks as well as musical instruments, message sticks, totems and burial logs.

Contemporary art has continued the mythical representations of landscapes or conceptual maps of designs wrought by ancestors.

Songs are sung to accompany the particular dances story, a variety of instruments are used depending on the protocols of the ritual.

Australian Indigenous art has continued almost unchanged for thousands of years. Even with the availability of modern materials they seem to have kept the spirit of their art without commercialising it greatly