The Artist Perspective

When first contemplating writing about Aboriginal Art, we thought about research, via the many books and studies available, and condensing a multitude of information, to present our readers with important facts re style, history, intent, content –all of the above. However – we paused, and came to the conclusion that what we would create has been written before.

We all know bark paintings from Northern Australia first became "fashionable and sought after" by collectors in the 1940's – how in the early 1970's Geoffrey Bardon worked with Papunya people who he noticed were "drawing in the sand". All these articles are available – the studies of Bradshaw and many others, some who devoted their lives to this research.

The answer to our problem? Ask the Aboriginal Artists about ABORIGINAL ART. Who better to tell the world? We know over a hundred artists – some have travelled widely – some are famous – others extremely talented but, for a variety of reasons, relatively unknown in the "WHO’S WHO OF ABORIGINAL ART".

The story we present to our readers is a story which has not been written before in this form, and encompasses our recollections of what was told to us by Aboriginal Artists now deceased, the stories told to us by artists painting in our Gallery, and by asking "What does Aboriginal Art mean to you" as they visit us.

We will update these pages regularly, as we embark on our quest to ask every one of our Artists their own views, reasons, recollections of the past and hope for the future through their Art. We invite you to write to or email them should you have any questions or discussion topics – they would welcome your comments.

The views expressed by the artists are spread across a (growing) number of pages, these can be read through as they appear, with links at the bottom taking you to the next page or you can use the list below to jump directly to a particular artists' view.

Start at the Beginning