Old Masters Wenten Rubuntja Tjabanati and Dinny Nolan Tjampatjinpa with Rosemary.
Alice Springs NT 2000

 

Aboriginal people in the desert regions of Australia are traditionally painters.However since the contemporary Aboriginal art movement was created only a select number of artists are recognised in Australian and International Collections.The 'Old Masters' work shown on this site heads this category for collectors worldwide.

The art expression of Aboriginal people was originally created for ceremonial activities using the desert sand or the body as a canvas this art form has continued over thousands of years.The symbols used in paintings are a visual language, that to this day continue the traditions and culture that have been followed for many generations.

The Western desert art movement celebrates through painting the ancestral journeys of the 'Tingari Ancestors' a group of mythical beings that travelled the desert inland regions of Australia in the Dreamtime.The'Tingari' created the features of the landscape as we know it today.They formed the mountain ranges,waterholes and plants with song verses that are still performed and reinacted at Aboriginal ceremonies to this day.The creation of honey ants,witchetty grubs,plants and animals feature regularly in both Aboriginal men and womens art and culture.

The Papunya and Western Desert 'Old Masters' are all mature Aboriginal elders who have gone through extensive rituals to gain the knowledge and competence in creating the intricate beautiful designs of the art featured on Painted Country,s web site. The work relates to the 'Old Masters' and their continual relationship with the land that has remained unchanged since the 'Dreamtime' or creation era as it is recognised today.

Traditional designs were sculptured on the sand by Aboriginal elders using ochre paint in red, yellow and white,bird feathers,chopped foliage,goanna fat and snake blood were also used for important sacred ceremonies.Since the 1970's when canvas and paint were introduced to the Papunya artists at the settlement by a white school teacher 'Geoff Bardon',enabling these ancient traditions to be captured in minuscular designs that are today found in many interstate and international collections.

The boundaries of Aboriginal tradition are still adhered to in the paintings featured on this web site.Many of these iconic artists have now passed on or are elderly and no longer painting.However the beauty and importance of these works can not be understated in preserving the history and traditions of the Aboriginal people and this ancient culture.

Painted Country,s director was priviliged to spend almost 20 years in Alice Springs, Central Australia living closely and promoting the Aboriginal art in her gallery with these iconic western desert artists. Enquiries regarding 'The Old Masters Collection' are welcome.