Introduction to Aboriginal Art Spirituality and Symbolism

The Dreaming ‘The Dreaming’ refers to the time when Aboriginal ancestral spirits emerged from and inhabited earth. Ancestral beings came in both human and animal form, such as Lightning Men or the Rainbow Serpent.

Creation The Aboriginal people believe spirit journeys created the physical environment like, rivers, mountains and the stars. The spirits entrusted land, power, traditions and laws to the Aboriginal people.

Ancestral Spirits The spirits returned to the supernatural world below the earth, where their lives gave power to significant sites. The Aboriginal people can access the power of the ancestral beings through ceremony, song, ritual and art.

Symbols Artworks have symbols which tell stories that are passed down between generations. Individual people are connected to particular dreamings according to their family line. Different dreamings are associated with different places, so interpretation of these symbols are personal.

Maps and Journeys The art of the Aboriginal people can be viewed as an aerial ‘map’ of journeys across the land. They use symbols to represent significant sites or events in their art. Dingo Dreaming, William Sandy 1983 Private Collection (129 x 76cm) Group or Language: Pitjantjatjara Area: Papunya ‘The Pitjantjatjara homelands cover an extensive area to the south of the Northern Territory, and extend into Western Australia and South Australia. This painting represents the journeys of the dingo ancestors, whose footprints are centrally shown. They travelled to Wingellina, near the borders of the three states. The human footprints record the major creation journey undertaken by the two women Kungka Kutjarra and their travels from waterhole to waterhole over a vast area of desert.’ From Australian Aboriginal Paintings, Jennifer Isaacs 2002 p40

William Sandy Dingo Dreaming 1983 This represents the extensive desert area of the Pitjantjatjara homelands The two large circles represent waterholes These footprints represent the journeys of the dingo ancestors The human footprints represent the major creation journey taken by two women from waterhole to waterhole across the desert

Painting Materials Traditionally bark, skin, stones, wood and cave walls were painted. Paint called ‘ochre’ was made by grinding rocks, clay, charcoal and dirt. Brushes were made from sticks, feathers or human hair. Modern Aboriginal artists also use canvas, paper, oil and acrylic paints.

Sally Morgan My Place 1986 This modern image represents a journey and depicts the artists family history. It is outlined by a rainbow serpent to represent strength and unity.

X-Ray Style The x-ray style shows the inside and outside structure of its subject. Here we can see the ‘outside’ or the outline of the crocodile, as well as lines ‘inside’ or on its body.

Your Task Design an Aboriginal x-ray style aerial map. It should represent the journey you have or will take around the school today. Use symbols to represent significant places and join them together to tell a story.

Don’t forget your friends, the bus stop and where you have lunch!