Aboriginal art is the oldest form of art worldwide! The art carvings from the Arnhem Land date back to at least 60,000 years old. It has only flourished from then on, with different symbols, art techniques, and stories said.
So, what exactly is so beautiful and interesting about Aboriginal Art? Read on as I show you five quick facts about this artistic expression and how amazing Indigenous people are.
- Only Aboriginal Artists Can Produce Such Art
This may be an obvious fact, but Aboriginal Art Australia is only considered as such if it was created by someone from hat origin.
Non-Indigenous Australians have no authority to paint Aboriginal arts. The paintings look shows through where the artist is from, and because non-Indigenous artists aren’t from particular tribes, they can’t represent forms of Aboriginal arts.
However, this doesn’t mean other ethnicities can’t create their own artwork! You can find various art workshops around Australia to learn more about different art forms and methods to try.
- Dots Hide Meanings from White Australians
Dot painting began at the time of white settlement when it was feared that non-Indigenous people can understand the secret knowledge of the Aboriginal people.
Double-dotting looked like it could mean anything, but it was discernible to Aboriginals. Today, it’s now a popular style technique, especially in Pintupi, a Western Australian tribe.
With that in mind, small dots does not automatically equal to Aboriginal art. Aboriginal arts require separate education, with so much to learn before you engage in a piece of Aboriginal artwork.
It isn’t just about dots and fine lines, and only artists from specific tribes can adopt this dot technique. It’s considered disrespectful and unacceptable to paint on behalf of other people’s culture and isn’t allowed.
For instance, in the Kulin Nation with five different tribes, they might not be allowed to use the dotting technique at all as it isn’t in their tribe’s culture. However, they CAN use other techniques like cross-hatching.
- There Are Different Stories to Tell
All Aboriginal arts have a story to tell, mostly based on the artist’s unique journey. It can be about their parents, warriors, their adoption, or even their daily life chores like fishing. In other cases, the art reflects their tribe and may capture the heartache of their stolen generation.
Another thing to learn about is that Aboriginal artists can’t pain stories that do not come from their lineage. When they want to paint a story about historical or sacred stories, they need to have permission before doing so. Artists must stick to their stories and art techniques that come from their tribe.
- Aboriginal People Have NO Written Language!
Some Aboriginal artworks speak in the English language, and you can see some words and phrases like “Stolen land,” or “racism still exists.”
This is because Aboriginals have no formal written language. Art is central to the Aboriginal culture as it creates visual stories. Since there are no words to communicate, art and pictures replace them.
Aboriginal languages in spoken form don’t exist as they did before, either. Every tribe has its own dialect, and each artist from particular tribes have different stories.
With around 500 different Aboriginal languages, there are no two similar aboriginal artworks. That’s why it isn’t surprising to see the many different art techniques, which reflect the individual artist and their unique stories.
- Symbols Are Central Around Aboriginal Arts
Aboriginal art is visual storytelling, so each tribe creates symbols that relate to different meanings. You can find iconic symbols as well, which are relevant to numerous tribes. Such symbols include digging sticks, eagle feet, and waterholes.
Colors may mean something as well, though this is rare, as only a few tribes understand what colors can relate to a certain meaning.
Such symbols used in artworks can be used for teaching children and adults. The iconography differs in meaning depending on the audience, though the story’s essence remains the same.
I hope that these art techniques, methods, and facts about Aboriginal art gave you an idea of the wonders of the Indigenous culture! Learn more about Aboriginals and their art now.
