Where did Aboriginal art come from?
Australian Aboriginal people had two traditional forms of communication. These were oral
storytelling and song as well as visual communication through drawing, painting, and the use
of ceremonial design. There was no written language, however, for many survival depended
on the ability to remember where food and water sources could be found at different times
of the year. Aboriginal artists often paint maps of the country showing important
landmarks. They often use an aerial perspective even when they have never been in a plane.
When did Aboriginal art become popular?
Up until the 1970s, the knowledge of traditional culture was mostly kept secret from
outsiders. A teacher named Geoffrey Bardon spent 18 months in the remote Aboriginal
settlement of Papunya, 240 km west of Alice Springs. He influenced a group of tribal elders
to come together to decide what stories could be shared with outsiders in the form of
paintings. The elders saw this as a way to communicate the story of their culture and as a
way to make money for their communities. Influenced by the success at Papunya,
Indigenous communities across Australia also began to create art.
Why is Aboriginal art so popular?
The Contemporary Aboriginal Art movement drew worldwide attention because many
Indigenous people possessed an extraordinary talent for composition, color, and visual
storytelling. Their work was inspired by deep spiritual beliefs and the art seemed to be a
universal language. There is a deep connection to the land and this is reflected in the
traditional Creation stories that inspire much of the art. It was visually stunning and
emotionally engaging.
When did Aboriginal art become popular?
The Contemporary Art movement has become a powerful bridge between Aboriginal culture
and western culture. It is also a bridge between the ancient and the contemporary. It has
fuelled a great interest in preserving Indigenous culture. For many remote communities,
making art has become a vital source of income and source for pride for the whole
community.
Aboriginal Culture
There are many Aboriginal cultures and peoples. Aboriginal cultures exist and thrive in a
wide range of communities throughout Australia. The Aboriginal people you work with are
not all the same—their culture, what they value and hold dear, how they live and make
decisions and their relationships are diverse. As in Western and Eastern cultures, Aboriginal
cultures have characteristics they share and others that differentiate them, so it is important
to avoid assumptions regarding Aboriginal cultures.
Australian Aboriginal people had two traditional forms of communication. These were oral
storytelling and song as well as visual communication through drawing, painting, and the use
of ceremonial design. There was no written language, however, for many survival depended
on the ability to remember where food and water sources could be found at different times
of the year. Aboriginal artists often paint maps of the country showing important
landmarks. They often use an aerial perspective even when they have never been in a plane.
When did Aboriginal art become popular?
Up until the 1970s, the knowledge of traditional culture was mostly kept secret from
outsiders. A teacher named Geoffrey Bardon spent 18 months in the remote Aboriginal
settlement of Papunya, 240 km west of Alice Springs. He influenced a group of tribal elders
to come together to decide what stories could be shared with outsiders in the form of
paintings. The elders saw this as a way to communicate the story of their culture and as a
way to make money for their communities. Influenced by the success at Papunya,
Indigenous communities across Australia also began to create art.
Why is Aboriginal art so popular?
The Contemporary Aboriginal Art movement drew worldwide attention because many
Indigenous people possessed an extraordinary talent for composition, color, and visual
storytelling. Their work was inspired by deep spiritual beliefs and the art seemed to be a
universal language. There is a deep connection to the land and this is reflected in the
traditional Creation stories that inspire much of the art. It was visually stunning and
emotionally engaging.
When did Aboriginal art become popular?
The Contemporary Art movement has become a powerful bridge between Aboriginal culture
and western culture. It is also a bridge between the ancient and the contemporary. It has
fuelled a great interest in preserving Indigenous culture. For many remote communities,
making art has become a vital source of income and source for pride for the whole
community.
Aboriginal Culture
There are many Aboriginal cultures and peoples. Aboriginal cultures exist and thrive in a
wide range of communities throughout Australia. The Aboriginal people you work with are
not all the same—their culture, what they value and hold dear, how they live and make
decisions and their relationships are diverse. As in Western and Eastern cultures, Aboriginal
cultures have characteristics they share and others that differentiate them, so it is important
to avoid assumptions regarding Aboriginal cultures.
