Aboriginal Art: An Artform Based on Storytelling

Aboriginal art is an amazing and breathtaking thing. When I first saw aboriginal art, my impression was that it was similar to pointillism. Pointillism is very much what it sounds like; it is an art form that is completely composed of dots. My first impression of aboriginal art was that its mosaic-like patterns and bright colors were gorgeous and vivacious, and in an attempt to recreate this style, I investigated aboriginal art and its origins.

Aboriginal art is so mystical and special because it is based strongly on storytelling, mythology, magic, nature, rituals, and spirituality (Aboriginal Art Culture and Tourism Australia, 2007). The Aborigines invented this style many many years ago. Aboriginal art works depict the dreams, beliefs, and stories of these people (Aboriginal Art Culture and Tourism Australia, 2007).

Aboriginal rock art is the original foundation of aboriginal art. These paintings and drawings are at least 20,000 years old and were found in Australia(Aboriginal Art Culture and Tourism Australia, 2007). These amazing works of art provide scientists and archeologists with many insights to the past. These rock paintings help us learn about the cultures, economy, society, myths, and environmental conditions of the past(Aboriginal Art Culture and Tourism Australia, 2007). The subjects of the paintings also help archaeologists put these art works into chronological order.

Many of these paintings also depict what is called Dream time (Aboriginal Art Culture and Tourism Australia, 2007). Dream time is the creation stories of the Aborigine people. These art works represent when the earth was formed, plants and animals were created, and when man was created by the Ancestral Beings worshiped by Aborigine people(Aboriginal Art Culture and Tourism Australia, 2007).