Boab Nut Carvings - Aboriginal Artefacts |
|
Carving is synonymous with Aboriginal Culture, from the rock art of the Wandjina to the simple drawings in the sand of the desert people. Many tribes carved rocks, leaving handprints saying "We have been here". Some of these include drawings of children's hands, telling the world that the whole family or tribe were in that place for some time. 
The Boab TreeBuy Boab Nut Carvings in the Artlandish Online Gallery The Artists have now taken carving a step further - Aboriginal people are producing magnificent pieces - wood carvings of figurines, imaginatively carved tree stumps which magically appear as a bird with wings, furled in the hands of the artist, totem carvings of Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands, slate carvings from the abundance of natural soft rock in the Northern part of Australia, wood carvings of birds and animals painted with artistic skill to be lifelike. To the untrained eye, a branch of a tree is just that - to an artist, it becomes a snake, or goanna, or turtle. These artefacts stem from the Aboriginal's power of observance, imagination and raw, clever artistic talent. BOAB NUTS OF THE KIMBERLEYThe Boab Tree is a mystery in itself - purportedly native to Madagascar, it grows in Australia only in the Kimberley Region of West Australia and the Victoria River area of the Northern Territory. Its trunk is voluminous, often trees are seen growing in "triplicate" (three trunks intertwined), its branches spiderlike in comparison with the bulky trunk - impressively monolithic to say the least. Aboriginal people used it for shelter, and its large "nuts" for food and medicinal purposes. The early white settlers often chose particular trees as meeting places on stock routes when droving - and then there is the Prison Boab near Derby, able to hold overnight up to ten prisoners en route to the next town. Now, the Boab Tree has become part of the Art of the Aboriginal people - the large nuts provide a wonderful avenue for painting and carving. The picking of the nuts to be used for artefacts is vital to the finished product - the nuts must dry on the trees, but be picked prior to the winds, which suddenly arrive, to sever the nuts from the branches and send them crashing to the hard earth below. The larger and better formed the nut, the more sought after - but then, even the small ones are presented as tiny birds, echidnas, and all manner of interesting flora, fauna and ornamental objects. Many Aboriginal people specialise in Boab Nut carving - Dusty Legune, a retired drover and "nature's gentleman" carves bush turkeys, rainbow serpents, native trees, invariably choosing long nuts to add scope to his style. Roslyn Karadada again shows her many and varied skills in carving, of course, Wandjina. Both these artists always carve their signature on their work. The boab nuts from Wyndham are of a darker natural colour, and the artists there take the opportunity of finely etching faces, usually of elder Aboriginal people, together with their Totems such as snakes, kangaroos and other native animals. The nuts on the working cattle stations at Doon Doon and Glen Hill are huge and hard - it takes a strong carver like Gordon Hall to make an imprint on these - his pieces are almost three dimensional (so are his paintings) and he carves so the central figures actually "stand up" from the nut. Different techniques, but also very clever. We have pieces by many artists from all over the Kimberley region - their works make ideal centre pieces for table settings, mantelpiece ornaments, outdoor decorations.
|
Did you know?
Boomerangs were not only used for hunting but to make music during Corroborees. Many Didgeridoo players would tap the boomer on the didgi whilst playing.
We Are A Member of
Customer Testimonials
- Customer Testimonials
I wanted to send on an enormous thank you to your family and its business.
I picked up the painting today from the framers, it is absolutely mesmerising.
Thanks for making the purchase of this beautiful artwork possible.
All the best to you, I hope your business prospers and thrives.
Should we consider another purchase in the coming years we will look you up,
and you will be highly recommended to anyone else we know who is interested in Aboriginal art.
Nyree, VIC
I received Deanne Peters's work today in the post.
This is the first ever piece of art that I have bought let alone through the Internet.
I love it. I appreciated the opportunity to buy a piece that I work afford within my
budget and I think it is a great idea to produce smaller pieces.
Now I just have to start saving for another.
Amanda, Ireland
Thanks so much. Ms Peter's work is absolutely beautiful.
I must stop looking at the website.
I'll run out of wall space!
Louise, ACT
Thanks so much for your e-mail, I am really looking forward to receiving my
paintings, and will let you know when they arrive.
Thanks so much for the kind friendly manner in which you have been with me,
I appreciate that.
Karen, UK
Thank you so much. I’m looking forward to receive Helen’s Water Dreaming.
I like the drawing and the colours a lot. Christopher Churchill’s Desert Nights is my favourite picture.
Often I pass by, have a look at it and smile. It is a very special picture for me.
Ursula, Switzerland
Just wanted to let you know I received my lovely painting.
Please pass on my thanks to Jeannie.
It's absolutely beautiful!
Lindy, VIC
Paintings arrived on Wednesday and they are great!
Thanks for your help.
Nathan, Canada
The two Alan Griffiths paintings arrived safely today.
So well packed. Thank you for dispatching them so punctually.
We are thrilled with them and currently debating wall alternatives.
Axel, NSW
My picture arrived this morning!!
It is quite wonderful.
Thank you so much for sending it.
Missing your red earth and sun.
Jill, UK
This is to let you know that the two
paintings by Churchill Cann and
Charlene Carrington arrived home safely
and in good condition.
They look beautiful on our walls.
Should you happen to see Churchill and
Charlene we would be very grateful if
you would thank them and let them know
how much we admire and respect their work.
Bill and Margo, ACT
The artworks have arrived.
All pieces are just beautiful.
Thank you very much.
Meg, UK
We recently purchased “Wild
Passionfruit and Tomato” by Margaret
Davis Kemarre during our visit to
your gallery in Kununurra. It was
delivered to our home in Sydney
last week. We just wanted to let you
know it had arrived safely and that
we are very happy with our purchase.
Thank you for your assistance.
Philip and Elizabeth, NSW
Just wanted to let you know that I've
received my art piece.I'm thrilled.
I appreciate the photo of Cindy & bio.
It makes it much more personal....
It's like I've met Cindy.
Give her my thanks and her willingness
to share her talent and vision.
Walt, USA
I've been meaning to send you a note to say thank you and we're very happy.
The painting arrived quickly and it's up on the wall and looks great.
Cathy, NSW
Just to let you know the artwork was well received today,
and I am very pleased with it.
Thanks again for your excellent service.
Lene, Denmark
The most beautiful Kudditji painting has arrived this morning, it is so magnificent.
It took my breath away!! Thank you very much.
Karen, NSW
I received my beautiful Bush Leaves canvas by Jeannie Petyarre last week.
I bought it on a very rushed visit to Kununurra enroute from Warmun to Darwin.
The minute I saw it I knew it was what I had been looking for.
It is at the framers now for stretching onto a frame. I can not wait to hang it in my home.
Thank you so much for getting it to me in such good condition.
I'm so glad I popped into your gallery for what I said would be a "quick walk through.
Luckily my friend in Warmun had said "make sure you go to Artlandish".
Having had the opportunity to spend time in an indigenous community
I feel blessed to have such a beautiful artwork.
Please place me on your mailing list.
Best wishes
Sue
Artlandish featured on Shop Safe
Artlandish are proud to be featured in ShopSafe.com's online gallery.
Shop Safe only include well designed secure online sites.
Click the link for more information on buying safely online