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Without a doubt, Australian Aboriginal Art is a form of art with huge significance. Renowned art critic and long time writer for Time Magazine Robert Hughes described Aboriginal Art as “the last great art movement”. What makes his statement so significant is Australian Aboriginal Art in fact is one of the oldest forms of Art anywhere on the planet yet as an commercially art style it happens to be one of the newest. Ancient Rock Art in remote parts of Australia dates back approximately 30,000 to 40,000 years. However, as a saleable commodity, this form of art has only really been available since the 70’s. The union between ancient custom and practice and the originality of Aboriginal Art emerging on the international art market, has brought a huge reaction through the art world as it is realized as a discovery that will never be seen again. Aboriginal Artists have actually been selling their unusual artwork since before the 1930’s, not yet known to the international market it remained contained within Australia seen only by those who happened to be travelling through the remote parts of the country and discovered it for themselves. Generally back in these days the Aboriginals created their artwork on bark. It is generally accepted that Aboriginals began painting on canvas in an organised manner in the early 1970's when a school teacher and graduate of the National Art School by the name of Geoffrey Bardon took up a posting to teach at the primary school at Papunya, a remote Aboriginal settlement 250 km west of Alice Springs. Bardon noticed that the Aborigines at Papunya would tell their stories by images and stories in the sand. He persuaded young as old to do the same but to record it various materials, such as paper, the doors at the school and eventually canvas. Bardon worked alongside the Aboriginal painters and, in the early 70’s, the Papunya Tula painting movement was founded. Bardon dedicated many years of his life to recording and supporting the art he respected so much. He had an active role in setting up the art centre at Papunya and with and it is from here that the last great art movement began. The artistic movement unleashed at Papunya spread over Central Australia as well as the Kimberley region of Western Australia and throughout the north of Australia in Arnhem Land as well as the Tiwi Islands. Now recognized all over Australia, Aboriginal communities all over the country share their history and culture through art to anyone who is interested. There is a huge difference in Aboriginal Art styles as each area of Australia is distinctive and totally separate from other parts of the country, each community has their own unique history, traditions, culture and stories to tell. Aboriginal Art is not only the leading art style in Australia today, but also one of the most significant globally with major works of art by Aboriginal artists hanging in famous art galleries, auction houses and private collections. Since its emergence commercially in the 70’s, Aboriginal Art has burst onto the international Art landscape. As demand rises and international art fanatics start to understand its unique history as one of the oldest and youngest styles of art at the same time, the realization that it just may be the last great art movement ever discovered is remarkable. Michiel van Kets provides article services for Scott Linklater, one of four family members who make up the team from Artlandish Aboriginal Art gallery in Kununurra Western Australia. The company has the largest online Aboriginal Art gallery in the world. For information on Aboriginal artists and paintings please visit the website.
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Aboriginal art, aboriginal paintings, aboriginal Art Information, Aboriginal culture, Aboriginal artists,
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