Aboriginal Culture
Australian Aboriginal art is said to be the oldest living art tradition in the world, dating back some 40,000 years. With no written language, the Aboriginal people used storytelling through song, dance, and art to pass on their heritage from generation to generation. Aboriginal people have a mythological tradition known as Dreamtime, which describes the beginning of time and the relationship between the unchanging networks of all beings. Dreaming is derived from Dreamtime, and is used to describe the connection between the spiritual, natural, and moral relationships of the world. The Dreamtime concept is the inspiration behind many of the paintings on our website.
The Aboriginal people of Australia are not a homogeneous group, there were thought to be as many as one million Aborigines with over 200 language groups at the time of European settlement. As such, the Aboriginal paintings that are showcased on Aboriginal Art Source represent different styles in the various aboriginal traditions, with certain styles distinct to specific regions of Australia. Traditionally, Aboriginal paintings where created solely for cultural uses within the different tribes. Contemporary Aboriginal paintings combine aesthetics and cultural significance.
The map below provides the main regions in Australia were Aboriginal artists are actively working. Note that these are just the primary areas of activity and there are other smaller regions throughout country where artists are active.
To learn more about Aboriginal art and culture please view the following outstanding educational websites. These resources provide rich content on all aspects of Aboriginal culture and history.
| http://www.aboriginalculture.com.au | http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au |
| http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Australians | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamtime |
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