Garry Djorlom "Brolga Dreaming" Ochres on arches paper
Edward
Blitner "Rainbow Serpent" Acrylic on Canvas
Clifford
Possum Tjapaltjarri "Bush Fire Dreaming" Acrylic on linen
Clifford
Possum Tjapaltjarri "Napperby Lakes"Acrylic on linen
The Aborigines are African people who live in Australia. "Aboriginal" means native or original people. They have lived in Australia for about fifty thousand years. Traditionally, they have been a hunting and gathering culture. The Aborigines had no permanent settlements.
The first artwork created by Aborigines was done in the sand and would disappear when the wind blew. They carve and paint pictures on rocks, bark and other things from nature. They also decorate and paint caves and rocks with pictures of animals, birds, fish and reptiles. Often, these pictures were decorated with intricate and ornate designs.
The Aborigines believed that if they painted these animals they would always be able to hunt them for food. They also believe that everything was created a long time ago in a world called Dreamtime. Much of their artwork told stories about Dreamtime.