Aboriginal Art: An Artform Based on Storytelling

Aboriginal art is an amazing and breathtaking thing. When I first saw aboriginal art, my impression was that it was similar to pointillism. Pointillism is very much what it sounds like; it is an art form that is completely composed of dots. My first impression of aboriginal art was that its mosaic-like patterns and bright colors were gorgeous and vivacious, and in an attempt to recreate this style, I investigated aboriginal art and its origins.

Aboriginal art is so mystical and special because it is based strongly on storytelling, mythology, magic, nature, rituals, and spirituality (Aboriginal Art Culture and Tourism Australia, 2007). The Aborigines invented this style many many years ago. Aboriginal art works depict the dreams, beliefs, and stories of these people (Aboriginal Art Culture and Tourism Australia, 2007).

Aboriginal rock art is the original foundation of aboriginal art. These paintings and drawings are at least 20,000 years old and were found in Australia(Aboriginal Art Culture and Tourism Australia, 2007). These amazing works of art provide scientists and archeologists with many insights to the past. These rock paintings help us learn about the cultures, economy, society, myths, and environmental conditions of the past(Aboriginal Art Culture and Tourism Australia, 2007). The subjects of the paintings also help archaeologists put these art works into chronological order.

Many of these paintings also depict what is called Dream time (Aboriginal Art Culture and Tourism Australia, 2007). Dream time is the creation stories of the Aborigine people. These art works represent when the earth was formed, plants and animals were created, and when man was created by the Ancestral Beings worshiped by Aborigine people(Aboriginal Art Culture and Tourism Australia, 2007).

Many of these paintings were done on rock walls in caves where the people lived. The aboriginal paintings were also done in sacred places where rituals would take place(Aboriginal Art Culture and Tourism Australia, 2007) These paintings were done n the ground by alters and on tools used for ceremonies. The Ancestral Beings believed in by the Aborigines would take the shape of many different creatures of the earth in order to teach the people these ceremonies and how to worship correctly(Aboriginal Art Culture and Tourism Australia, 2007).

Aboriginal art is he oldest form of art known to man; some of the pieces are sold out there is no way to date them or figure out who created them (Aboriginal Art Culture and Tourism Australia, 2007). This artwork may have originated many years ago, but it still thrives to this day. Many people in Australia still practice the ways of aboriginal art, and use bark instead of rocks to create their art work. Canvas is also used by many aboriginal artists. These works of art are meant to explore the outer worlds as well as define and describe the current world, and they are so stunningly beautiful they should be appreciated in many ways.

Reference:

Aboriginal Art Culture and Tourism Australia. (2007). ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIA ART & CULTURE CENTRE - ALICE SPRINGS . Retrieved October 3, 2007, from http://aboriginalart.com.au/gallery/traditional.html