For decades, the Australian Aboriginals worked together to create stunning pieces of art. While history is important, an individual must learn and acknowledge a few crucial facts about Aboriginal art to fully comprehend the importance it had to their society.
Dreamtime Aboriginal Art
The first important fact an individual must look at is the meaning behind the artwork. The art that was first produced was traditionally for cultural reasons.
Australian Aboriginals would convey deep thoughts and elements of their culture within their artwork. During this time, only the Aboriginals whom knew enough about the culture and traditions could view these pieces.
Today, the artwork is easily accessible for all to view. That being said, it is quite common to see many different interpretations about the Dreamtime that these people believed in.
For the Aboriginals, this Dreamtime is a period that occurred before the Earth was formed. It consisted of Spirits, the Creator, and supernatural beings. It was also used to refer to the communication between the Spirits and natural elements of the world.
Paintings, carvings, and other forms of artwork expressed how the individual perceived this Dreamtime. Another influential aspect of life were dreams, which allowed Aboriginals to create art that expressed certain symbols or situations.
Aboriginal Art Materials
In terms of materials, the Aboriginals of Australia heavily relied on Ochre. This material was abundant throughout Australia, and readily available for the Aboriginals to use.
The rock is comprised of iron oxide, which gives it its various colors. It could vary from a pale-yellow color, to a light-blue, or even a red-brown mix.
This was mined from various rocks throughout Australia, and crushed into a powder substance. Once in its powder form, a liquid of some type was added to create the paint. Usually, this liquid was blood or saliva.
This paint was then placed on various mediums. Some preferred rocks, while others looked at wood, bark, and skin to create their pieces.
Of all the colors available to the Aboriginals, the deep-red color had the most importance. They believed that this color symbolized the blood of ancestral beings, and as such, was widely used in ceremonies. In addition to ochre, the Aboriginals used organic materials such as:
- Charcoal
- Feathers
- Fine Clay
- Blood
- Fat
As previously mentioned, these people included certain aspects of their culture and traditions in their art. Some of the most popular stencils and symbols found frequently included:
- Animals
- Boomerangs
- Stone Axes
- Hands
- Arms
- Spear Throwers
The dots in Aboriginal art are also important features to understand. These were used in almost every piece produced, and is largely what made the Australian Aboriginal art so unique.
To form these dots, the artists would use the end of sticks. They would crush the end so that it was flat, lightly burn it in the fire, and then dot their piece using the burnt end.
The Importance of Australian Art
Clearly, there are quite a few facts about Aboriginal art. These individuals produced pieces not for monetary gains, but to interpret their history and culture. The most imperative point to understand is the fact that these people placed great emphasis on developing artwork that symbolized their way of life.
Looking at these pieces, historians and everyday individuals alike can gain a better understanding and appreciation for the Australian Aboriginals. Today, there is plenty of Aboriginal art online that one can view, purchase, and decorate his or her home with. Ensuring these pieces fit an individual's budget range should be his or her foremost concern.
Sources
Aboriginal Art Online: Official Website
Curtis Nash - Curtis has been writing for over three years, but only professionally for one. He started with various Freelance websites and slowly ...
