Aboriginal Art

Background information Initial forms of artistic Aboriginal expression were rock carvings, body painting and ground designs, which date back more than 30,000 years. Aboriginal Australians traditionally used art as a means of communication or expression in different forms such as rock engravings, cave paintings and designs cut into trees, wooden articles such as boomerangs and on their bodies (scarification). The symbols of their artwork were expressions of their beliefs, the Dreamtime and Dreaming stories or in some cases were records of specific events. The term art, broadly interpreted, also includes story telling, song, music and dance. These forms of Aboriginal art were often sacred because of their connection to the Dreamtime and Aboriginal spiritual beliefs, or because they were accessible only to initiated adults.

How was this art created? They obtained red, orange, dark purple, brown and orange from grinding ochre to a powder. Ochre was found naturally in rock stained by iron, which would give it the reddish hues. Yellow was obtained by mixing clay, or by collecting pebbles that contained a limonite-stained form of kaolin. White also came from the kaolin, or even white clays. Calcite, a chalky mineral, as well as ash are used to make white pigments. Calcite occurs naturally in calcrete deposits. Black was obtained from charcoal, and could be mixed with kaolin to make grey. Dark green was made from plant colourings.

Tools used: Blowing a fine spray from the moth to produce stencils (silhouettes) Brushing the pigment using a fine stick, crushed stick or hair brush Applying the paint using fingers and hands - for example in body painting.

The activity The teacher takes the students outside into the playground where the students can be surrounded by the natural environment. (Trees, grass etc). The teacher divides the class into small groups of 3-4 students The teacher asks the students to mentally visualise that their group is from an ancient Aboriginal Tribe. They are to collaborate and create an Aboriginal art work that represents their own tribe. Each group is to present their art work at the end of the lesson and explain their design.