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