Aborigional Art Aboriginal Art has survived for over thousands of years and continues to be one of the oldest art forms practiced today. Aboriginal Art consists of symbols. These symbols were used as a means of communication; communication of their lives on earth, their rituals, food, customs and also to show constellations and for ritual decorations. These works were almost always ceremonial or religious.

basing their subject matter mainly on patterns and animals. Symbols were used in order to show the presence of different things or objects that existed around them. Unlike the well-known artists you've studied, Aboriginal artists created their works based on how the land was created, basing their subject matter mainly on patterns and animals.

These patterns and symbols were created using only the colours seen in nature, (for instance soil, was seen in tints of reds, yellows and browns ochres. White, clay and charcoal colours were also used from natural materials.

Thousands of years ago, Aboriginals would create their works using only the natural materials left around them, (such as bark, clay, logs, trees, burnt sticks, rocks, etc....

The backgrounds of these art works were never blank The backgrounds of these art works were never blank. There is always a continuous use of dotting, patterns, lines or hatching to create a sense of movement within the work. These works of art could be labelled as Abstract.

1. Pretend you are living thousands of years ago and need to create a work of art for your ancestors. 2. Choose one-three of the above Aboriginal symbols to create a storyline.

To recognize most elements in Central Australian paintings the viewer must know the site and the Dreaming depicted in the painting. They always refer to sites where mythical activity is believed to have occurred and where ancestral power still remains

Artists employ a basic set of symbols, such as dots, concentric circles and curved and straight lines. All have multiple meanings depending upon their context. Despite this there are some standard design elements.

Concentric circles usually represent campsites or rock holes Concentric circles usually represent campsites or rock holes. Straight lines between circles illustrate the routes travelled between camps or places. Wavy lines across a painting usually is water or rain. A small "U" shaped figure represents people sitting and straight lines next to them are weapons or domestic implements. (see Iconography page for more detail)

Tracks, whether human or animal, are often depicted in plain view as they appear on the ground. Lizards and snakes are frequently shown as one would see them from above. Significant plant species are generally shown in a stylised but figurative manner and the dotted primary motifs and backgrounds have become the hallmark of the acrylic movement

All stories and information provided about the icons are public, meaning that all can read and understand these elements of the Aboriginal culture. Many of the icons also relate to sacred ceremonies, but no reference is made to this.