Different Forms of Aboriginal Art
Indigenous or Aboriginal art was the principal communication medium among the ancient Aboriginal people. It was their means of preserving and relaying cultural traditions, beliefs, and stories. Aboriginal art is a holy communication medium. It also happens to be the oldest form of art that continues to thrive in today’s day and age. There is a market for the highly varied traditional Aboriginal art and ancient rock sites celebrated for their significance in terms of the value they add to history and culture. This article shall delve further into the different forms of Aboriginal paintings that enthrall people all over the globe.
Dot Paintings
Dot Paintings are integral to Aboriginal paintings that emerged during the Papunya Tula Art Movement in the 70s. With the application of bold yet delicate dots, the Aboriginal artists could encrypt symbols and sanctify the information they held. Clifford Tjapaltjarri is one of the Aboriginal arts’ most revered painters whose work, the ‘Warlugulong’, was sold for a record AU$2.4 million to the National Gallery of Australia.
Bush Medicine Leaves
Gloria Petyarre, an artist who was deeply inspired by the Kurrajong tree, popularized a unique style of art that’s come to be known as the Bush Medicine Leaves. She won the prestigious Art Gallery of New South Wales Wynne Prize for her art titled “Leaves” in 1999. Various Central Australian women from Utopia use this style to tribute to the bush medicine leaves gathered from the Kurrajong tree, which is revered for its healing powers.
Cross Hatching
Cross hatching is commonly found in Northern Australia. It is produced by the Kunwinjku people, who use them as ceremonial paintings. Also called Rarrk paintings, these artworks are made using human hair. These Aboriginal paintings feature parallel lines and are used to portray reptiles and sea creatures. In a few exceptional cases, this art may also include anatomical features and is called x-ray art, which dates back thousands of years. The Kunwinjku people believe that the overlaid patterns hold sacred and spiritual powers.
Colour Field
Colour fields are a contemporary art form used by the legendary indigenous artist Kudditji Kngwarreye. This art style, similar to the works of the renowned American abstract expressionist Mark Rothko, was initially shunned by traditional Aboriginal artists and galleries. This style portrays conceptual applications of shape and colour to relay stories of the Emu dreaming sites and the Emu ancestors.
Rock Art
The archeological findings from the Madjedbebe site in the Northern Territory testify that the Aboriginal people have inhabited the Australian continent for over 65,000 years. Adding to that, the unearthing of ground ochre proves that the ancient Aboriginal people were keen artists. However, the Nawarla Gabarnmung rock in the Arnhem Land contains the most ancient rock art paintings carbon-dated in Australia. So, they date back 28,000 years. This spot contains portrayals of ancient traditions and images of interwoven fish, reptiles, animals, human beings and mythological figures. So, more ancient Indigenous rock art works can be found at sites like Bunil Shelter in Victoria and The Bradshaws in Western Australia.
Wandjinas
However, the Wandjinas is an art form found exclusively in the Kimberley region and nowhere else. These artworks are sacred and spiritual to the Indigenous people of this region. Wandjinas feature figures with big eyes and no mouths. The eyes indicate the eye of a storm. So, they are often portrayed with exquisite headdresses that indicate various types of storms.
In Conclusion
Aboriginal paintings have various segments and styles that are collectively termed Aboriginal art. This is because different Indigenous tribes developed different art forms to suit different needs. While some may contain hidden messages to be relayed only to necessary people, some may hold spiritual significance. These are some reasons. Aboriginal art is unique and has been attracting much attention over time.
