Australian Travel

What better way to get a sense of oneself and to meaningfully while away the hours is there than to become ensconced in the Indigenous art world. You can let your creative thoughts lapse back to the Dreamtime. When you open your eyes and your heart to the addictive world of being a collector of Aboriginal art you will have set out on a rewarding and spiritual journey.

Through collecting the art you will get in touch with your inner spirit and learn about Aboriginal spirits; some good, some bad, all enchanting. You will also on the way build up a collection of artwork that is a sound investment, appealing to all the senses: the visual, the kinaesthetic and the financial.

A great place to start on your mythical journey is to ponder the mystery of outdoor artworks painted in high, seemingly unreachable places as you float through Katherine Gorge or climb Nourlangie Rock in the Northern Territory. Marvel at the images of native Australian animals which became extinct thousands of years ago, and existed when the continent of Australia was once part of the greater land mass called Gondwanaland.

About 600 million years ago Australia was divided into two parts by a shallow sea. Then 150, million years ago, much of what is now the desert area of central Australia was covered by a large freshwater lake, which is named Lake Walloon. About 130 million years ago Australia was four large islands, not a whole land mass. Gradually the water lessened and the continent took on the form we know today. An ancient land of extremes, the majestic, the wonderful desert, world listed heritage rain forests, and coral reefs all characterised by cycles of drought and flooding rains.

Every piece of Aboriginal art encompasses this relationship with kin and country, the land and its people. Each painting contains a story, passed down through generations over tens of thousands of years. This has kept Aboriginal traditions alive: through the wood grains, along the bark, moulded fleetingly in the sands, weaved into the basket or seeping into the canvas.

Authentic Indigenous art centres are throughout the centre’s red heart, opening this unique culture to visitors and revealing a surprising variety of art styles, often dictated by the surrounding environment. Buying Aboriginal art from the Art Centres or their authorised sellers ensures that the majority of the money from the art sales are returned to the artists leading to the sustainability of the Aboriginal people in their communities.

If you are going on an artistic sojourn, a good place to start your journey is in Uluru, where you can meet the local Anangu people at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. Discover their traditional laws and culture, and how it weaves itself into Anangu art.

Visit Papunya where the Western Desert art movement began. The remarkable efflorescence of Aboriginal art and Torres Strait Islander art over the past four decades, emanating in the aftermath of colonisation, has been shaped not only by historical circumstances but by the culture from which it derives its meaning. For more information about Aboriginal art in Brisbane, visit http://www.emuapple.com.au/