The dreamtime is a period before human existence when spirits emerged from the sky to create the land forms and all living things. The Dreamtime stories set down the laws for social and moral order and establish the cultural patterns and customs. Many art works are visual representations of the symbols associated with the artist's Dreaming[6]
'Aboriginals see themselves as part of nature. We see all things natural as part of us. All the things on Earth we see as part human. This is told through the ideas of dreaming. By dreaming we mean the belief that long ago, these creatures started human society. These creatures, these great creatures are just as much alive today as they were in the beginning. They are everlasting and will never die. They are always part of the land and nature as we are. Our connection to all things natural is spiritual.' Silas Roberts, first Chairman of the Northern Lands Council.
[http://www.aboriginalartstore.com.au/aboriginal-art-culture/aboriginal-dreamtime.php]
It is still in the indigenous tradition to represent many of the desert Dreamings stories. The traditional sand paintings have been replaced by paintings on canvas and new styles like dot paintings.[7]
Dreamtime symbols:
Symbols used within paintings include concentric circles, curved lines & straight lines. Concentric circles usually represent camp sites, waterholes or places of significance. Curved lines generally represent rain or water travelling underground. Straight lines may be indicative of travelling & when these lines join concentric circles it may show the pathway travelled by the ancestors. A small "U" shaped figure may represent a person & depending on the iconoraphy next to the person determines whether it is male or female.[8]
Some Dreamtime Paintings:
Wayamba the Turtle.
Warabah (the turtle) symbol of the warrior and protection. A man that put himself and his desire above that of his people. The painting is to be read section by section (bottom left clockwise).
This depiction describes in detail the events that would unfold in this ancient and dramatic story.[http://www.aboriginalaustralianart.com/dreamtime_art.php]
Gaygar the Mother DuckThe dreaming story is of Gaygar the mother duck, her abduction and escape from the water rat. It tells of a mothers unconditional love for her children and there forced and speedy exodus from their country.[http://www.aboriginalaustralianart.com/dreamtime_art.php]
This depiction describes in detail the events that would unfold in this ancient and dramatic story.
No comments:
Post a Comment