2004 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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Art, History, Place Activity

Indigenous Art Forms

This activity links into pages 27-32 of Art, History, Place where the author Dr Christine Nicholls explores Indigenous art from other parts of Australia. There were many different styles and forms of art in use across Australia. This activity asks students to explore this diversity and record it using the following table.

Exploring Indigenous Art

Art, History, Place explores different art types from the Central Australian region. This selection of activities aims to increase students' understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. In particular, students explore different art forms utilised by various Indigenous groups or individual artists in Queensland and compare the different styles, forms and history with the art movement depicted in Art, History, Place.

Suggested activities include:

1. Students compare and contrast the iconographic style of Central and Western Desert areas with the symbolic or figurative styles used by Queensland artists. Are the different art styles influenced by the artist's environment, their life experiences/world views, etc.?
2. Students investigate the choice of colours used in Indigenous art, compare/contrast traditional colours (ochres, etc.) with colours used in contemporary acrylic art.
3. Students identify any recurring themes/images utilised by Queensland Indigenous artists. Where do they draw their inspirations? What influences their art: events, history, social justice, etc.? What are the stories behind the artwork, e.g. Dreaming stories, life/personal experiences, etc.?
4. Students research the Indigenous art of their local/regional area. Are there any traditional art sites, e.g. rock art, etchings, etc.? Are there local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists? Is there a thriving art movement in local/regional Indigenous communities?
   • Alternatively students may research a particular area of Queensland, e.g. Cape York, or a particular group of artists, e.g. Lockhart River Art Gang. (The recent Story Place exhibition at the Queensland Art Gallery showcased art from Cape York communities, including Lockhart River.)
   • Another option is for students to research particular forms/types of art, e.g. contemporary acrylic, pottery/ceramics or textiles/batik styles.
5. Students undertake an excursion to local/regional Art Gallery to view Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art work.
6. As a school activity, engage an Indigenous artist-in-residence to work with students: demonstrations, lessons and workshops. Many Indigenous artists also work within schools to produce murals on buildings/walls to highlight Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultures within the school-community.

Websites

The following websites provide teachers with further information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and works of art.

Aboriginalart.org
http://www.aboriginalart.org/
Links to Aboriginal owned and operated Art Centres' websites in the Top End of the Northern Territory, north of Western Australia and throughout Central Australia.

Aboriginal Art Online
http://www.aboriginalartonline.com/
Land & Culture, Art & Artists, Regions & Communities, Forum & Comment sections.

National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA)
http://www.visualarts.net.au
Link to Indigenous artists, organisations and retail outlets.

National Museum of Australia
http://www.nma.gov.au
Excellent notes for teachers on Indigenous art and art works in their collection.

Queensland Art Gallery
http://www.qag.qld.gov.au/
Queensland Art Gallery website.

Rainbow Serpent Gallery
http://www.rainbowserpent.com.au/
Retail outlet for Indigenous arts/crafts.

Tandanya - the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute
http://www.tandanya.com.au
Australia's first and oldest Indigenous-owned and managed multi-arts centre - Tandanya is a national institute, presenting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultures
from throughout Australia.

Des Crump - Dinawhun Consultancy