Crossing the Dreaming Land

Ceremonial Arts from the Arnhem Land, Northern Australia

Paintings

As the most dynamic and diverse form of Aboriginal art, contemporary paintings have evolved from one of the longest art practices in the world; the rock painting. Aboriginal artists have adopted modern techniques and media to augment the tradition of telling Dreamtime stories. Across the huge Australian continent, a wide range of styles have emerged. In Arnham land of the Northern Territory the paintings normally are rendered with natural ochres and depict traditional designs, such as Jillimara body painting. In the Central Desert and the Kimberley regions, artists produce dot paintings and more modernistic looking abstract forms. Many Aboriginal artists' paintings have reached iconic status and are sought after and collected worldwide.