Aboriginal art

Introduction

I have been interested in Aboriginal art since taking a course in Anthropology in 1981, my thesis for Diploma in Fine Art was : Neolithis Art and Expressionism. A study of art and culture in modern hunter gatherer socities that use symbols similar to those found in Newgrange and at the time, recently discovered at Knowth. The study included, work from the Kalahari Desert in Africa and Aboriginal Art from Arnhem Land.

A bit of research based on excellent book ... notes and quotes

Aboriginal art by Wally Caruna, Thames and Hudson, World of Series, 1987

Introduction

• One of the longest continuous traditions in the world. Dating back at least fifty thousand years, unknown until mid 20th century
• Ephemeral materials used make it difficult to date antiquity of many art forms practiced today
• Durable forms include: rock engravings and rock paintings
• Arnhem Land escarpment paintings were made 50,000 years ago
• Engraved designs found in South Australia date from 30,000 yrs ago
• Dates for engravings and paintings across the country indicate continuous artistic activity over millennia

With little contact outside the continent cultural practices spread across the country with a diversity reflected in a variety of religious beliefs, ceremonies, social structures, languages, (formerly 200 distinct languages, now only about 50 in daily use,) and a range of artistic practices and idioms

Art is central to Aboriginal life

“Whether it is made for political, social, utilitarian or didactic purposes – and these function constantly overlap – art is inherently connected to the religious domain.”
“Art is the means by which the present is connected with the past and human beings with the supernatural world. Art activates the powers of the ancestral beings. Art expresses individual and group identity, and the relationship between people and the land.”

Until the 18th century Aboriginal art was made purely to fulfil traditional cultural needs, and this has remained the case in varying degrees since.
“In the ceremonial sphere, art may only be created and viewed by those initiated to the proper level of awareness. However, in modern times, a significant body of art has emerged which is intended for the wider, public domain.”

DATES IN RECENT HISTORY

1788: Aboriginal population circa 1 million, Australia declared uninhabited.
Early 1900’s: federal government assimilation policies declared Aboriginal cultural redundant
1967: universal suffrage for aboriginal people
1973: assimilation policies revoked
1976: land rights legislation enacted in the Northern Territory