Aboriginal art, in particular the dot painting style, has become associated closely with Australian art world wide, and is a popular addition to Australian art galleries and many private collections.
Few may be aware however, of the deep sacred mysteries and spiritual meanings behind some of the symbols and dots depicted in each painting, or art work, by the Aboriginal artists themselves.
To gain an understanding of Australian Aboriginal art, it is essential to look deeper into the Aboriginal people's strong connection and respect of the land, the animals, their elders and the spiritual side of their dreamtime beliefs.
Significance of Dreamtime Stories
The dreamtime stories, as they are referred to now, were passed down from generation to generation. The significance and meanings of these stories, were such that Aboriginal elders were made custodians of these stories, and many are still closely guarded.
The Aboriginal people themselves, did not relate to the stories as dreamtime stories, but rather, they were a way of explaining the creation of the world, how the animals came to have certain characteristics, and to pass on the Aboriginal lore (law) to the children.
To the Aboriginal people, these stories were a way of life, and were not necessarily considered as something special. They was simply the way that the traditions of their culture, was passed down throughout the generations.
Sacred Ceremonies of Aborigines
Traditionally, Aboriginal people would decorate their bodies and shields using paint made from ochre, for their sacred ceremonies. They drew ceremonial signs and symbols in the sands as part of the ritual, to maintain their culture. Afterwards, these pictures, or images in the ground, would be smoothed over to hide their deep sacred mysteries.
The Origin of Dot Painting
The dot painting technique itself, came about after the Papunya art movement began in Western Australia in the 1970's. European art teacher, Geoffrey Bardon, encouraged the art movement, and was the instigator of a wall mural on an external wall in the school grounds.
The Papunya art movement, encouraged Aboriginal artists to shift their art symbols and dreaming circle designs, drawn in the ground, to more permanent art works on canvas.These dreaming designs were usually outlined with dancing circles representing the spiritual ceremonies and sacred secrets.
The designs revealed maps made up of circles, spirals, lines and dashes. As public interest in the Australian Aboriginal art style grew stronger, an internal political uproar arose regarding the protection of symbolic meaning and hidden secrets to the Aboriginal people. After this, the symbols were often disguised by Aboriginal artists by using the dot painting style to 'break up' symbols and hide their meanings.
Author : Bronwyn Ferguson
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