Stone arrangements are one aspect of Aboriginal art, however the purpose behind most are unknown. It’s thought they were used in ceremonial activities. The stones were arranged in patterns depicting such things as large circles or animals. Skimming through Lippard’s section on stones, it is apparent many cultures have used stones as symbols. I was also reminded of the stone cairns showed in class. Sometimes a cairn would mark a path or a territory, which may have been the purpose of these Aboriginal stone patterns.
The Aborigines would also engrave images onto rock walls. These images included animals, humans, and other symbols. In the Sydney region, thousands of such engravings exist in the sandstone. Again, it is thought they were used for ceremonial purposes. An engraving of a kangaroo, for example, may have helped to increase the availability of food in the area. Still others may have been used for initiation purposes, transitioning a child into manhood. A smaller few even show evidence of astronomical associations.
Perhaps the most recognizable Aboriginal art style is dot-painting. But the Aborigines also used outlines of shapes and various lines to depict their art. Paints were often made of water, animal fats and sometimes added with vegetable fibers. The canvas was rock walls or bark and the tools brushes, sticks or even fingers.(image source:
2 comments:
I love Aboriginal art. I live near Charlottesville, Va and there is this museum that specializes in Aboriginal art...its called Kluge-Ruhe and its part of the UVA collection. I don't know if you've been there or heard of it, but its pretty sweet. I love how Aboriginal art incorporates repetition of circular shapes, like the rock formations and paths and the dot painting. The design is so simple but successful in portraying aspects of the culture; rows and lines of dots often represent rows of spears, and circles around a center shape often depict a group of women stiting around a fire.
No, I haven't been there. Thanks for letting me know it exists! I might have to check it out sometime. :)
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