Instead of watching a video today, the lecture was an informative session about Regional styles of Aboriginal art. It was all about exploring the many styles of Aboriginal art and how the Aborigines are a diverse group of people, not only with many different languages but also with different styles of art.
Daniel Boyd, Treasure Island, 2005, oil on canvas,
http://nga.gov.au/Exhibition/NIAT07/Detail.cfm?IRN=149628&ViewID=2
In this work by Daniel Boyd, “Treasure Island,” we can see this multitude of diversity, each coloured area representing a different language area.
The most famous Aboriginal art that we all have probably have come to easily recognize are often from the major regional styles of the Desert, the Kimberley and the Arnhem land. Each of these regions has a unique and distinct style which I’ve noted briefly below and some similar examples I found:
Map of Major Regional Styles
http://www.aboriginalartprints.com.au/regions.php
The Desert
Art from the Desert region are characterized by dot paintings, using acrylic paint on canvas.
This type of painting is probably the most well known style and has been one that has allowed Aboriginal art to flourish in the global market. Although they seem to be a simple application of dots, it is clear from the final artworks, that they are more than just that. Originally, dot paintings was said to be based on ground painting done in the sand.
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Bobby West Tjupurrula, Bushfire dreaming at Warlukirlangu, 2001, synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 136.7 x 91 cm, National Gallery of Victoria
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Inyuwa Nampitjinpa, Untitled (Pukunya), 1999, synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 153 x 122 cm, Art Gallery of New South Wales, (Hetti Perkin, One Sun One Moon)
The Kimberley region on the other hand is characterized by the use of natural pigments, blocks of colours, outline of white dots and a warm, restricted colour palette (colours based on the availability of ochre in the region).
http://www.aboriginalartprints.com.au/works_enlargement.php?work_id=601
The Arnhem land
The Arnhem land, in the North of Australia, is characterized by art that includes rark or a cross hatching technique, the use of natural pigments of bark and a restricted colour palette.
The designs that are painted on the barks are often similar to those painted on ceremonial objects and body painting. While traditionally, the regional style involved using ochre on bark, today, paint on paper or canvas is also used.
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John Mawurndjul, Mardayin ceremony, 2000, natural pigments on bark, 170x 78 cm, Art Gallery of New South Wales.
As you see the paintings, you’ve probably come across them and can easily identify them as Aboriginal art. However, surprisingly, even within these major regions, many more different styles exist. Here is just a quick summary on the Desert Art movements discussed in the lecture:
Desert Art Movements:
1. Western Desert:
- Dot painting
- Papunya/ Mt. Liebeg
- Kinture/Kimikurra
- Yuemdumu
2. Utopia
Seeing all the different styles it reveals that there’s actually much of Aboriginal art that we often don’t see. Not only have the past few weeks of seeing more and more Aboriginal art, helped me to gain a clearly understanding of the diversity of Aboriginal art but also culture and identity. However, most importantly, what’s interesting is that while all of the artworks show different styles, the correlation between them - their culture, their Dreamings are clearly apparent – their art all tell a united story of their country, what they believe in and who they are.
3. Ikutji (Haast Bluff)
4. Lajamamu
5. Ernabella
6. Hermansburg
4. Lajamamu
5. Ernabella
6. Hermansburg
 Clockwise from top-left: |
Utopia
Emily Kam Kngwarreye, My Country, 1996,
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/08/2867731.htm?site=darwin.
Ernabella Nyukana Baker, Jar, 2004.
http://basement.craftaustralia.org.au/articles/20070723.php
Haast's Bluff
Long Tom Tjapanangka, Anyali Range, 1995,
http://www.deutscherandhackett.com/node/17000120/.
Hermansburg
Albert Namatjira, http://jameswaites.ilatech.org/?p=6198.
Lajamanu
Judy Martin Napangardi, Karna Kurlang - Digging Stick Ceremony,
http://www.japingka.com.au/exhibitionView.cfm?exhibitionID=37
Seeing all the different styles it reveals that there’s actually much of Aboriginal art that we often don’t see. Not only have the past few weeks of seeing more and more Aboriginal art, helped me to gain a clearly understanding of the diversity of Aboriginal art but also culture and identity. However, most importantly, what’s interesting is that while all of the artworks show different styles, the correlation between them - their culture, their Dreamings are clearly apparent – their art all tell a united story of their country, what they believe in and who they are.
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