Aborigional ArtAboriginal Art has survived for over

thousands of years and continues to be one of the oldest art forms practiced

today.Aboriginal Art consists of symbols. These

symbols were used as a means of communication; communication of their

lives on earth, their rituals, food, customs and also to show constellations and for ritual decorations. These works

were almost always ceremonial or religious.

Symbols were used in order to show the presence of different things or objects

that existed around them.Unlike the well-known artists you've

studied, Aboriginal artists created their works based on how the land was

created,basing their subject matter mainly on

patterns and animals.

These patterns and symbols were created using only the colours seen in nature, (for

instance soil, was seen in tints of reds, yellows and browns

ochres. White, clay and charcoal colours were also used

from natural materials.

Thousands of years ago, Aboriginals would

create their works using only the natural materials left around them, (such as bark,

clay, logs, trees, burnt sticks, rocks, etc....

The backgrounds of these art works were never blank. There is always a continuous use of

dotting, patterns, lines or hatching to create a sense of movement within the work. These works of art could be

labelled as Abstract.

1. Pretend you are living thousands of years ago and need to create a work of art for your ancestors.2. Choose one-three of the above Aboriginal symbols to create a storyline.

To recognize most elements in Central Australian paintings the

viewer must know the site and the Dreaming depicted in the painting.

They always refer to sites where mythical activity is believed to have

occurred and where ancestral power still remains

Artists employ a basic set of symbols, such as dots, concentric circles and

curved and straight lines. All have multiple meanings depending upon their

context. Despite this there are some standard design

elements.

Concentric circles usually represent campsites or rock holes. Straight

lines between circles illustrate the routes travelled between camps or places. Wavy lines across a painting usually is water or rain. A small "U"

shaped figure represents people sitting and straight lines next to them are weapons or domestic

implements. (see Iconography page for more detail)

Tracks, whether human or animal, are often depicted in plain view as they appear on the ground. Lizards and snakes are frequently shown as

one would see them from above. Significant plant species are

generally shown in a stylised but figurative manner and the dotted primary motifs and backgrounds have become the hallmark of the

acrylic movement

All stories and information provided about the icons are public, meaning that all can read and understand these elements of the Aboriginal

culture. Many of the icons also relate to sacred ceremonies, but no reference is made to

this.