ABORIGINAL ART / 18th December 2009
4th January, 2010
For all who want to know more about the oldest still existing culture of the world and the art of the Aborigines, the short resumption of the exhibition at the ART CENTER BERLIN is a unique opportunity.
More than 50 artworks of famous protagonists of the indigene art scene like Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Paddy Sims Japaljarri, Minnie Pwerle, Long Jack Phillipus Tjakamarra, Makinti Napanangka, Eubena Nampitjin, Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, Dorothy Napangardi, Gloria Petyarre, Elisabeth Nyumi, Helicopter Tjungurrayi, Shorty Jangala, Kudditji Kngwarreye, June Bird Ngale, Walankura Napanangka, Pansy Napangardi, Warlimpirringa Tjapaltjarri, Naata Nungurrayiare and many more are represented in the exhibition. The fascination of the hidden symbolism and the magic effect of the lines, colours and shapes create a great experience for the viewers. Information about history and myth of this culture and impressive photos by the renowned Australian photographer Wayne Quilliam complete the exhibition.
The Dreamings of the Australian Aborigines are stories and myths about the creation and express their spiritual connection to their land. At the same time they are the oldest persisting cultural credentials, given from generation to generation. Their beginning dates back more than 40.000 years.
The knowledge of the Dreamings is passed on normally through spoken stories, though it is not free for anyone; for example, it is divided into knowledge for men and for women. The degree of initiation of the individual (and therefore that individuals right to the knowledge) is also granted according to origin, group membership, and age.
With their rituals, singings and dances, stories, petroglyphs, the body paintings and drawings in the sand, the aborigines where able to hold their culture alive over the millennia down to the present day. Neither the colonisation of their continent, nor modern civilisation could destroy their cultural identity and the tradition of the Dreamings.
That 40 years ago some aboriginals began to paint their Dreamings with acrylics on canvas, can be seen as the initial point of an indigene contemporary art scene. Since that time brilliant works of art are owned by major museums and private collectors worldwide and achieve top prices in the millions.
