Ochre Aboriginal Art

Ochre Art of the East Kimberley

Aboriginal people throughout Australia have always used ochre for ceremonial body painting, traditional rituals & as a paint for artefacts & message diagrams associated with their nomadic lifestyle.

The first Australian Aboriginal art collected by European people was in the form of ochre on eucalyptus bark, long before the use of canvas & linen & acrylic paints. The artists of the Kimberley region of Western Australia have carried on the tradition, using natural ochres/earth pigments for artworks now represented in modern homes & institutions worldwide.

The collection & preparation of the raw ochre is incredibly time consuming, & the blending of a myriad of colours for the depiction of the landscape artworks indicative of the Kimberley area requires knowledge & dedication. Natural Ochre pigment is found in many different colours throughout the world; however, the basic colours in the Kimberley region are red, black, yellow, brown & white. The artists are able to blend these pigments to make all the other colours required for the artwork. Some ochre is heated up, with the varying temperatures resulting in the depth of colour achieved.

Once ground & prepared, the ochre is mixed with a binder & the artist is ready to commence painting. In the early days, commercial binders were not available, & the original ochre painters used many natural binders such as garliwun (tree resin), bush honey, egg yolks & kangaroo blood.

The thickness of the palette of the ochre used is dependent upon the desired result of the artwork. Some artists favour thick palette ochre showing a great deal of grain, others a finely powdered ochre to achieve a translucent effect. The original ochre Masters would prepare the canvas with ochre, leave to dry & then rub back with a flat stone to achieve extremely minimal ochre imaging. The ochre, being a natural pigment, is not affected by direct light, is extremely durable in all temperatures & climates.

The acquisition of a work executed in ochre medium ensures the purchaser of a Traditional, enduring & very special part of Aboriginal Culture.

The History of Ochre

The history of the use of ochre is fascinating. Ochre was one of the first pigments to be used by human beings. Pieces of haematite (a compact form of iron oxide), worn down as though they had been used as crayons, have been found at 300,000 year old sites in France & Czechoslovakia. Ochre natural earth pigments are evidenced all over the world. The oldest record of mining activity, at the "Lion Cave" in Swaziland, is a 43,000 year old ochre mine. Ochre is mentioned in the Book of Genesis, was a popular colouring in France during the time of the French Empire to beautify architecture & in ancient Egypt, red Ochre was used as a rouge, or lip gloss.

LInks To History Sections

All About Aboriginal Art: Overview of different styles of Aboriginal Art
The Artist Perspective: Aboriginal Artists share some thoughts on Aboriginal Art
A Customer's Interesting Comment: Plus an insight into some of the Aboriginal Artists
The Art Of Survival of Aboriginal Culture, Aboriginal Tradition and Aboriginal Dreaming
Painters & Artists Of The Kimberley
Bradshaw Aboriginal Art of the Kimberley
Wandjina Rock Aboriginal Art
Contemporary Australian Aboriginal Art
Aboriginal Art Works Look behind the Website
Aboriginal Art Graphic Symbols and Meanings
Ochre Aboriginal Art: Find out more about the natural pigment used as paint for thousands of years
Aboriginal Paintings: Information on the different styles of paintings from the many regions throughout Australia

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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

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