April 16, 2008

Aboriginal Art, A Truly Ancient Art Form.

by Barry C Numgerie

Immigrants traveled from Asia to the North of Australia and populated out harsh north. In some recently discovered areas of the Kimberly's and Arnhem land their is overwhelming proof of the Arrival of the first Australians.

In the North of Australia these first humans faced an harsh environment, with wild weather and animals. People made homes in Sandstone caves, which even today some of these caves show traces of these early inhabitants. Daily living implements, shells, leaves, bark, sticks and stones covered the floor. People soon discovered that ochre provided a great tool to paint and soon were making records of their daily life.

With these rock paintings which were the original Aboriginal Art scientist have proven the date on these paintings with carbon dating of the pigment. Also many items around the cave had a story emblazoned on them with easy to find painting products. Many of these paintings have even been tested using that latest most up to date testing methods.

Radiocarbon dating is limited to a maximum age of around 40 000 years, and the newer techniques are required for dating of older materials. AMS is a new radiocarbon dating method enabling the dating of much smaller samples of carbon than the traditional radiocarbon (C-14) method.

Ochre is the main pigment used in rock art and is found across most of Australia. Pieces of ochre, have been found in almost all of Australia's ice-age sites. Most have been radiocarbon dated and the dates range from 10 000 to 40 000 years. Proving that Aboriginal Art can trace its beginnings back to the stone age. But it hasn't remained there. Aboriginal Art now encompasses the use acrylics, canvas, glass, and ceramic tiles as well as ochres, bark and wood.

Because of the difficulty in presenting art in caves to a wider audience it was only a matter of time before art moved onto canvas and tiles. With the early artist creating a dedicated following many of their paintings and carvings have appreciated phenomenally , some showing unprecedented growth.

There are so many ways to celebrate art and decorate walls and rooms that , aboriginal art offers something that is original with nearly every one been hand painted on location. Because of this it is much easier to get a painting from a new painter while they are unknown. Image getting an early Albert Namatjira you couldn't not smile.

You will then have a valuable and authentic piece of aboriginal art, there is nothing quiet like watching a piece of art bout cheap go for $50000 dollars. While many artist will never achieve this type of fame it seems that more aboriginal paintings and carvings are appreciating faster.

About the Author:

Tags: , , , , ,

Filed under Painting and Easel by Barry C Numgerie

Permalink Print