Australian indigenous culture is one of the longest surviving pre-historic cultures on Earth. Their complex artforms are centred and have survived in hostile environments for years. Therefore, aboriginal artworks belong in museums and galleries. They hold rich knowledge, culture, spiritual teachings and the practical skills necessary to survive. It provides them with both anthropological and artistic merit. Even the contemporary aboriginal works of art are worthy of being displayed in museums and sold as collectables. It is one of the reasons Australia has numerous thriving indigenous art auctions. The aboriginal artwork that got the highest bid for AUD 2.4 million is the ‘Warlugulong’ by Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri in 2007. Here are a few facts about the cherished aboriginal culture:
Fact 1: Indigenous Art Keeps the Aboriginal Culture Intact
Aboriginal Indigenous art has survived for over 60,000 years and has fostered a cultural revival in Australia. It has enabled the older artists to teach younger ones and encourage them to appreciate the knowledge behind their culture. They have also intangibly increased their self-esteem, pride and value in modern Australian society. On the other side, non-aboriginal Australian residents and people worldwide get the opportunity to marvel at the beauty of indigenous art, understand their culture and invest in their survival.
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Fact 2: Indigenous Dot Paintings Have Hidden Secrets
Dot paintings originated among the indigenous communities when they feared that the while outsiders would understand and potentially steal their secret and sacred knowledge. They used dots in specific patterns, colours and sizes to hide information such that only the people in their community would be able to understand them. They used the over-dotting technique to cover the secret symbols painted underneath. Today, dot paintings have morphed into various styles developed by artists and the Pintupi tribe.
Fact 3: Indigenous Art Comes from Dreamtime Stories
A significant proportion of modern aboriginal art comes from the powerful ancient symbols and stories of the indigenous tribes. These were centred around ‘the Dreamtime’. According to the indigenous people, Dreamtime refers to a period when the world was first created. These Dreamtime stories have origins beyond 50,000 years and have been passed down through generations by word of mouth and symbols. These works are available in most indigenous art auctions.
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Fact 4: Modern Artists Require Permission to Paint Aboriginal Dreaming
Contemporary aboriginal artists require permission to paint or create artworks that depict the ancient stories of the indigenous tribes. They need it while they paint stories concerning their sacred and secret information. Aboriginal artists are not allowed to paint stories that they have not acquired through family lineage. Australia has numerous indigenous cultures and family lineages that extend well before the arrival of Europeans. The AIATSIS map depicts the historical heritage of these indigenous communities of Australia. Each culture in different regions has its language, artistic style and medium to communicate its stories.
Fact 5: Indigenous Communities Use Paintings to Teach their New Generations
Along with depicting the beauty of their lands and their values and beliefs, aboriginal communities use paintings to teach their younger ones. The aboriginal people use paintings that display a visual story for various purposes, including interpreting different symbols (iconography) in their ancient artwork and creating new ones to retell those stories. Therefore, the stories may take multiple forms when they communicate to their children and have higher forms when compared to speaking with the initiated older members of the tribe.
As indigenous people have no written language, they use traditional icons from the centre of their artwork. They use them to recount their dance, stories, songs and help communicate important information and guidelines about their ceremonies and the land they travel to.
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