Aboriginal art is an assemblage of symbols. All paintings are meaningful and have a story to tell. Aboriginal art forms are no exception. Owning aboriginal art paintings is definitely a matter of pride and status. Therefore, art enthusiasts and patrons are constantly on the lookout for news concerning aboriginal art for sale. So, a little research and understanding of the various meanings of the symbols and the visual language can help you find what you are looking for. So, dig in!
Common Features of Aboriginal Art Symbols
1. A Symbol Can Have Multiple Meanings
A single symbol can appear in many different forms of aboriginal artworks since researchers have long debated that nothing is authentic to one community, and artistic inspirations have never been classed. Similarly, aboriginal art symbols are found across indigenous peoples’ communities. The same symbol can have different cultural connotations, and such societal underpinnings can eventually change the entire context in which such symbols are produced and reproduced.
Therefore, one cannot infer the story of the artwork through individual symbols but see the particulars from the overall understanding of every single element of the paintings put together. And not to deter from the most important variant, the artist’s creative expression can play a pivotal role in the expression of symbols.
2. Western Desert Movement: Influx of New Artistic Ideas and Intermingling of Existing Symbols
A community or clan of families harbouring their own set of symbols acted as resources. Different language groups had different symbols whose meanings varied only slightly. The Western Desert Movement saw a heightened intermingling of artistic ideas and symbols that led to artists reimagining what their artworks could achieve. Fresh ideas concerning narratives, form, content, medium and other such parameters saw new energy that changed their perceptions and production of art.
3. Emergence of Papunya Tula: Aboriginal Art and Symbols Entering the Global Terrain of the Art Industry
Papunya Tula saw its inception in 1972 with six language groups of aboriginal heritage coming together to increase their visibility concerning their unique art history and socio-cultural representation. The group of artists couples immense diversity of artistic calibre, affinity, form, and medium with the art industry’s global terrain and changed how these symbols reached the rest of the world. Artists from hereditary families knew what artworks could be exhibited for the world to see. Hence, the accessibility was regulated.
Coupled with power politics and the art industry as a whole, much attention from all spheres led to the launching of a variety of books and catalogues that ponder extensively on various paintings and the context in which these symbols are used.
4. Diversify the Knowledge Base About Symbols With the Artist’s Symbol Sheet
A broad understanding of symbols can give the perfect start engaging with authentic art. Hence, original art collectors keep looking for aboriginal art for sale that comes up offline as well as on websites. However, a more refined touch of going through an artist’s synopsis and familiarity with their symbols can fill your intellectual pursuit with abundance. Sooner than later, you will realise that a symbol can mean multiple things in a specified context.
Final Words
With aboriginal art making the rounds and finding a legitimate and dignified space in the global art space, there has been a remarkable increase in demand. Aboriginal artists with contemporary inclinations are soaring to new heights of success along all verticals. Conduct your due research and own an aboriginal piece of art with pride and reverence! Get in touch with the top Australian galleries for enquiries.