The Distinctive Painting Styles of Three Regions

This weeks lecture focused on the distinct styles of artwork that different Indigenous regions produce. The style and content varies between the communities as their surrounding unique landscapes and the associated Dreaming stories influences the artists.  I found the distinguishable features between the styles fascinating; as before I just thought they were all the same kind of style; I suppose I had a stereotypical view of ‘dot painting’. Now that I am aware of these styles and methods, I can distinguish one regional style from another.

The Desert Region

Basic style description: acrylic on canvas, wide palette, dots and circles (joined by lines), grout paintings in sand.

The below painting by Johnny Yungut Tjupprrula, demonstrates this style.

'Tingari men at Malparingya' - Johnny Yungut Tjupurrula

The Kimberley Region

Basic style description: primarily uses rich, earthy tones, blocks of colour, restricted palette mainly using natural pigments, shapes outlined with white dots. 

Below is one of Rover Thomas’s many works depicting this style of painting.

 'Sugar Bag Hill ' - Rover Thomas

The Arnhem Land Region 

Basic style description: crosshatching (Rarrk), natural pigments generally on bark, restricted palette.

Below is a bark painting by England Banggala

 'Jin-gubardabiya - Pandanus Mat Dreaming' - England Banggala

 

Lin Onus - Fruit Bats

In this weeks lecture one particular piece of artwork really stood out to me. It was by Lin Onus  and titled Fruit Bats (1991). In my opinion this piece strikes me as playful and having a sense of fun. The sculpture features a group of bats hanging off the lines of a Hills Hoist. Each bat is detailed with Rarrk (crosshatching) and at the base of the Hills Hoist there are painted dots representing the bats’ droppings.

This piece combines traditional Indigenous culture and imagery with the suburban Australian lifestyle. I think this is a powerful installation piece as it merges sacred imagery and values with the mundane. It seems to paint the picture of a somewhat ‘suburban dreaming’.

Week 3

Our tutorial was cancelled this week so I have included my response to the questions here in my journal. The questions this week were focussed on the artists Destiny Deacon and Ricky Maynard.

1. Destiny Deacon’s work has been described as interpreting contemporary society through a political framework. Is it necessary for the viewer to be familiar with the political ideas she is referencing in order to appreciate the work?

I don’t think that you need to know the political ideas behind the images in order to appreciate them on an aesthetic basis. Many of the images seem to be accompanied by a title, which offers enough information for the viewer to work out some kind of story. Although, I do think that to truly understand the message the artist is trying communicate, it would help if the viewers did know the story behind it. That way the audience would be less likely to misinterpret the artworks meaning.

2. The image in Art and Soul of Ricky Maynard with his back to the camera, standing in the water looking out to sea, is presented in the context of the Tasmanian genocide which adds a powerful emotional context to the photograph. Is the photo still powerful if the viewer doesn’t know the context?

Personally I think that yes, the image is still powerful even if the viewer doesn’t know the context. Through the use of black and white photography a powerful method by itself; a feeling of loss and sadness is evoked. Just by looking at this photograph without any prior knowledge of its meaning, you feel a sense of longing and being all alone due to the man having his back turned to the camera and positioned in a large body of still water looking out over the vast sea.

 'Broken Heart' by Ricky Maynard, 1953

Stop(the)Gap: International Indigenous art in motion Exhibition

Earlier in the year I went to the Samstag Museum to see the Stop(the)Gap Exhibition on Indigenous moving image. Many of the artists are multi- disciplinary in their practice, but the emphasis was on moving image work as opposed to still imagery or mainstream film.

Brenda Croft was the curator that brought together all seven works by six indigenous artists from around the globe showing that despite physical distances, Indigenous communities everywhere are linked through their shared colonial histories, and the issues of inequality and misrepresentation. 

 Warwick Thornton's 'Stranded'

Warwick Thornton is an Indigenous filmaker from Kaytej north of Alice Springs. I remember 'Stranded' was the most interesting piece as it was viewed in a small dark theatre room with 3D glasses. In the film Thornton seems to be imitating Christ by being nailed to a white cube cross that rotates above various landscapes of strong colour and emotion. The nature of this work reflects his own quote when he was six years old that “I want to be like Jesus Christ when I grow up”. I think this work was very powerful and confronting as it gave me a sense of sadness.

Events and Exhibitions

To get started on my cultural exploration, I thought I would begin to compile a list of various Indigenous cultural events and exhibitions that I may be able to attend around Adelaide. This way I have the opportunity to experience Indigenous art, culture and design face to face. I have included websites and galleries in Adelaide that either specialise in Indigenous art or display traveling Indigenous art exhibitions.

Exhibitions

• Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery - This is the permanent collection in the SA Museum.
• Mutti-Mutti Dreams (Glenelg Art Gallery) - 5-28 August 2011.
• Tandanya Exhibitions - This page shows the latest exhibitions and events being displayed at the centre.

Galleries

• Art Gallery of South Australia (North Terrace, City)
• SA Museum (North Terrace, City)
• Flinders University City Gallery - (North Terrace, City)
• Tandanya - National Aboriginal Cultural Institute Inc. (Grenfell Street, City)
• Experimental Art Foundation (Lion Arts Centre, City)
• Adele Boag Gallery (Unley)
• Greenaway Art Gallery (Kent Town)
• Glenelg Art Gallery (Glenelg)
• Contemporary Art Centre of SA (Parkside)
• AP Bond Aboriginal and Contemporary Art Gallery (Stepney)
• New Land Gallery - Country Arts SA (Port Adelaide)

Websites

• Australian Museum - The Indigenous Australia section has lots of information on topics such as Family, Spirituality and Flags.
• Adelaide Aboriginal Art - An online Art Gallery specializing in Indigenous Australian art.
• Aboriginal Art Coop - This site has a number of slideshows displaying Indigenous artists work and galleries.
• Australian Indigenous Cultural Heritage - This is a government site that has detailed information on a variety of topics and includes useful links at the bottom.

Events

• Tandanya Cultural Tours and Presentations - There is a cultural performance at 12 noon on Tues and Sun ($5) and a free tour at 11am on Thurs. I hope to go along to one or both of these soon.
• Stepping Stone Event to Camp Coorong - Through my church, I heard about a camp being run by Uniting Church Australia. This seems like a great way to engage with the Indigenous community and learn new skills.