What do the dots in Aboriginal art mean?

Traditional aboriginal dot paintings represent a story, generally regarding hunting or food gathering and usually have traditional aboriginal symbols imbedded throughout the painting. Dots symbolise stars, sparks, burnt ground etc.

How old are Aboriginal dot paintings?

Dot painting originated 40 years ago back in 1971. Geoffrey Bardon was assigned as an art teacher for the children of the Aboriginal people in Papunya, near Alice Springs. He noticed whilst the Aboriginal men were telling stories they would draw symbols in the sand.

What do you use for Aboriginal dot paintings?

Aboriginal Dot paintings are commonly executed in both Ochre paintings and Acrylics, however Acrylic paint is the more commonly used for these artworks. The paint used may be highly textured with a very raised surface or flat.

What does Aboriginal symbols mean?

Aboriginal people used symbols to indicate a sacred site, the location of a waterhole and the means to get there, a place where animals inhabit and as a way to illustrate Dreamtime stories. Generally the symbols used by Aboriginal Artists are a variation of lines, circles or dots.

Who is the most famous Aboriginal artist?

Albert Namatjira is one of Australia’s great artists, and perhaps the best known Aboriginal painter. His western style landscapes – different to traditional Aboriginal art, made him famous. Fame led to Albert and his wife becoming the first Aborigines to be granted Australian citizenship.

Can non Aboriginals make Aboriginal art?

Remember a non-indigenous Australian can never create an Aboriginal artwork because only people from specific parts of country can tell the story of that country. They are the only ones with authority to do so – Aboriginal artists must have permission to tell the stories of their country.

What does yellow mean in Aboriginal art?

The sacred Aboriginal colours, said to be given to the Aborigines during the Dreamtime, are Black, Red, Yellow and White. Yellow represents water, and the markings on the back of the great snake ancestor (see our last blog on the Rainbow Serpent Myths).

What are the main Aboriginal symbols?

In Aboriginal Art, a simple set of symbols, such as dots, concentric circles and curved and straight lines are often utilized. While symbols vary widely between the various Aboriginal cultures found across Australia, there are a number of useful starting points that can help identify potential meanings.

What does a turtle symbolize in aboriginal culture?

Turtles are a favoured food source for Indigenous communities and therefore appear as totems and in Dreamtime stories and Creation myths. Indigenous people respect the food resources that sustain them and they celebrate the turtle in rituals that aim to increase the bounty of the species.

Where did the Aboriginal dot painting come from?

A boriginal Dot Paintings are what most people think of as modern indigenous Australian art. This unique style of painting which has gained a global reputation since it emerged in 1971, grew out of an encounter between an art teacher and a community of displaced Aboriginal people in Papunya.

Where can I find printable patterns for Aboriginal art?

Printable Patterns at PatternUniverse.com Aboriginal Art AnimalsAboriginal Art For KidsAboriginal Dot PaintingAboriginal PeopleAboriginal Art AustralianAboriginal CultureArte ElementalIntro To ArtArt Du Monde Australian Dot Art (4th)

Why do Aboriginal people use symbols in their art?

Aboriginal art symbols are used as a proto-language to communicate the Dreamings. MacDonnell Ranges, showing two caterpillars in the landscape. The characteristic patterns of central desert Aboriginal art, such as the iconic dots and concentric circles, are a symbolic language that illustrates stories of the Dreamtime.

What kind of paint do Aboriginal people use?

A used cotton tips for dipping into the paint and making patterns with dots. Indigenous people use colours associated with the earth, including brown, umber, brick red, terracotta, yellow ochre, warm grey, burnt sienna, tan, and shades of green such as moss.