As a requirement for my Indigenous Art, Culture and Design course, we were asked to produce a blog which highlighted our participation in various Indigenous cultural events. It is my hope that throughout this blog I am able to gain a greater understanding of Indigenous Art, Culture and Design.
What better way to start than with a historical overview of Indigenous Art and Culture.
Cosmology is the philosphical study of nature and the universe. One culture in which the true essence of this notion is captured, is Indigenous culture. Indigenous cultlure is grounded in the connection between its people and the land, and what they see and think of the world. For many years Indigenous art was the only representation of this until the introduction of European art.
It is quite hard to picture life in Australia prior to colonistaion, however Indigenous culture existed for many centuries beforehand.
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| Wandjina |
In our lecture, we learnt that the first figurative paintings on the planet, known as the 'Bradshaw Paintings', found in the Kimberly region of north west Australia were produced up to 65,000-85,000 years ago. These paintings depict images of the Wandjina and the Namarrgon (Lightning Man). The Wandjina dreaming, belonging to the Mowanjum people is said to be the 'supreme spirit being' and significant globally in the history of human culture.
The Namarrgon also found in the Kimberley and Arnhem Land regions is closely related to the environment. Scientifically known as the most lightening prone area, Arnhem land is known as the place of thunder and lightning in Indigenous culture, thus giving relevance to the Namarrgon dreaming. Namarrgon ( Lightning Man) is depicted with hammers which is said to be what produces the thunder.
Many dream stories of creation much like the Wandjina and Namarrgon are as relevant today as much as they were years ago, and I feel so blessed to be able to experience art which is so rich in culture, and sacred to its creators.
Whilst it is evident that Indigenous art and culture has existed for many years it was only in the mid 1800's that it gained recognition in the public arena. Below is a brief timeline of the introduction of Indigenous art and culture in Australia and around the world.
1855- After colonisationin Australia, Aboriginal art is viewed in Europe. The 'Exposition Universelle' in Paris was the first exhibition to showcase six Aboriginal bark paintings.
1861- Tommy McRae, an Aboriginal artist began painting in a European manner. His work were depictions of colonisation from the Aboriginal perspective. It was also a period of rich storytelling.
1893- Works depicting animal iconography and food sources by artist Mickey of Ulladulla were awarded a medal at the World's Colombian Exposition in Chicago.
1899-Anthropological pioneers Spencer and Gillen produced 'The Native Tribes of Central Australia', a documentation of their field-work that occurred in 1896.
1922- A landmark time in the development of our understanding of Indigenous art. Several lectures on primitive art in Australia were given, strengthening appreciation of this surviving culture and its philosphical connections to life.
1925- Margaret Preston published the 'Indigenous Art of Australia', which advocated the use of Indigenous culture and iconography to spring one's own creativity.
1929-The Museum of Victoria mounted the first major exhibition of Aboriginal Art. The exhibition showcased bark paintings from the personal collection of Baldwin Spencer. At this stage the only work considered was collected by anthropologists.
1932- Norman Tindale leads an expedition from Adelaide University to Luritja Country, west of Alice Springs.
1936- Albert Namatjira produces his iconic watercolour paintings.
1939- The Art Gallery of South Australia makes the first aquisition of an Aboriginal painting.
1941-45- Two major exhibitions showcasing Indigenous art were held during World War II.
1950-70- This was a period of rapid change in Aboriginal history.
1971-The Aboriginal Art Movement was turned on its head by the introduction of dot painting, made famous by the Pupunya School Mural.
1984- Aboriginal women were given permission to paint.
1987- This year saw the introduction of Urban Aboriginal art.
1994- Advocates fought to have Aboriginal art exhibited in the Cologne Art Fair.
2006- Proppa Now; continuously challenging and pushing the boundries.
