After a delightful stroll along the Southbank of the Brisbane River and lunch in one of the many restaurants I head to the Art Gallery.
The first gallery room showcased Aboriginal art. I am fascinated by the structure and design, and overwhelmed by the size and precise placing of the dots and crisscross patterns.
I stood for quite a while in front of this large painting. I wasn’t the only person finding it photo worthy.
I took a closer look and marvelled at the precise placement of the thousands of carefully placed dots that join into a seamless flowing of rippling water.
Look closer. It has a hypnotic, three dimensional appearance.
The tiny dots are so incredibly perfect, I wonder at the time and intense concentration needed to create this masterpiece. I am always pleased when galleries put background detail of the work.
I move on to another type of Aboriginal art. Again the canvas is large and the work very detailed and precise.
A gallery guide is giving an insight into the meaning of these works of art. This one is a story of a traditional ceremony. Again I look closely and am amazed at the delicate crisscrossing of lines, known as rarrk, every one perfectly placed. The colours used are the rich earthy tones of the land.
There were many more traditional paintings to admire but the final painting in this gallery is quite different. My eyes were drawn again and again to this shadowy, mystical image.
Moving into the next gallery it is a visual change from the norm. The walls have been painted to be part of the overall exhibition. I find it quite confronting to start with. But then, as I wander round, the background walls seem to enhance the paintings.
Women feature in all these paintings.
The next gallery, again, has boldly painted walls.
Then turning into the next gallery I am confronted with this…
A life-size, dead elephant…
Well, what do you think? I marvel at a person’s mind that would think of this. Then the actual creation of the form of the elephant, but then to stick thousands of tiny “bindis” all over the form. I had to look closer…
Jack says “that looks like thousands of sperm swimming for their life”…
Ok!!! Time for a coffee…
But the day is not over yet. The next post I will take you for a stroll through the Botanic Gardens and a ferry ride…
gypsy life 
So much detail within those paintings Pauline.. I think I could have stayed in that gallery All day 🙂
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I will be going back as we had other things to fit in on the day, and much more to see.
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Your stamina astonishes. Not only this, but a mission as well. Your photos are wonderful. I too love Aboriginal painting: it’s colours and its intricacies and its story. I’ve never watched an artist, but I did pick up a hitchhiker from the Aboriginal community at Wallaga Lake once, and he told me he used the end of matches to do his dots.
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just love this park
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It is lovely and so many people were using it.
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Oh dear another place we keep meaning to go up to, so easy too on the train, we are so lucky
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The weather is perfect at the moment for a trip to Brisbane. You should go…
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I enjoy a wander around an art gallery or museum as long as they are not crowded. They can be very tiring though. One reason why I like Canberra with all its museums and galleries. Free entry and often almost empty. In contrast to London where everywhere is overcrowded. I like the elephant close-up.
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I can only absorb so much in one go in museums and art galleries so I didn’t get to the modern part of the art gallery, left that for another visit. Never crowded in this gallery just a comfortable amount of people.
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Yes. I agree. Always nice to have something to go back for.
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Some wonderful artworks. Yes, I wonder how some artists come up with their ideas as well.
That is an amazing elephant sculpture. I’m going to forget the part about sperm, though. 😉
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I firmly believe artists are a breed apart as they can conjure up such amazing creations
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Thanks for sharing the aboriginal art. I stumbled on some fabric with aboriginal designs several years ago and was mesmerized by it. What I love is that when viewed close up there is precise intricate detail that morphs into a stunning design as you pull back and view from a distance. Nature’s the same way, I guess. Jack is absolutely right about the elephant, looks like a sea of sperm to me.
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Yes the intricate details fascinate me and I have seen old Aborigine women sitting cross-legged in the red dirt completely engrossed in the creation of these designs. Very much like nature.
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Pauline, I really enjoyed this foray into a type of art I haven’t seen. The works are even more incredible when you share the close-up view and I also appreciated the photos of the explanations. Not sure about the walls, though.
janet
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The beauty is all in the detail of Aborigine art and there is usually a traditional story in each creation. They are incredibly talented people. Those walls were certainly “in your face” but the overall effect was rather stunning.
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I agree, explanation, whether from a guide or detailed notes, adds so much. Quite often there are exhibits I’d spend a few seconds on myself but become far more interesting when I hear what was in the artist’s mind. I don’t know how they come up with these things either. My favourite is the elephant. In two minds about the walls – I think the black and white would be less distracting than the red.
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I’m always fascinated by the way artists create their art and were their inspiration comes from so the guides or information does enhance the art experience for me. For me the walls actually did seem to make viewing the paintings a more intimate feeling as the bands of colours seemed to draw me in.
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The aboriginal art was quite new to me – I was sure that the first piece was woven – wonderful! The haunting painting by Lin Onus was my favourite. What a great gallery.
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Aboriginal painting is very unique. They were a culture with no written history so all the stories were handed down by song and painting, quite often on bark in the past. Fascinating art and culture
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Thank you for sharing not only these beautiful images but the stories behind them. Its wonderful to see the explanations of indigineous artistry. The elephant image stopped me dead in my tracks ( well, okay, i was sititng down) and the explanation and close up more amazing.
what stays in mind though is the incredible perfect dots, even with a three D effect, of Doreen Reid Nakamarra.
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I’ve seen Aboriginal artists doing the dot art and it is such an intense process to get it so perfect I admire them and their culture. Even when I looked very closely at Doreen Reid Nakamarra’s art my eyes could not believe it was done on flat paper the effect was so 3 dimensional.
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What an amazing gallery, Pauline! The details in some of that work is incredible. You could just stare and stare. I prefer the plain walls but once you’re lost in an art work it doesn’t really matter. What a day you had! Thanks for sharing. 🙂 🙂
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I only had time to see half the art gallery as I was on a mission, which you will hear about in the next post, so I will have to go back again.
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Thanks for the wander, Pauline!
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Pleased to have you come along with me Sue
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😀
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All of them are very fascinating!
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Thanks pleased you enjoyed the look around.
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Fascinating to see the aboriginal art, Pauline, and what a wonderful gallery. Thank you 🙂
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It is so different I only got round half the gallery, sometimes it is too much to absorb in one visit.
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That’s the problem with galleries. I’m coming to the conclusion that one, or at most 2 works per room plus a cosy chair and footrest would be my ideal.
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I know the beauty of the elephant would make me emotional but it’s amazing. The first two paintings I’d like printed as fabric to wear, and the painting by Lin Onus is incredible, what stories that landscape tells.
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The elephant was so realistic that it was quite a sad sight. I think you can get some fabric printed in Aborigine designs.
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Wow! Thank you for sharing this art, Pauline! I’m amazed by the patterns and the dedication that each artist brings to their work. The patterns on the gallery walls are a bit much for me but the artwork is truly fantastic! 😃🎨💕
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I knew you would enjoy this art Jill
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Yes, very much! 🎨💕
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Interesting gallery, Pauline 🙂 Thank you for sharing, Ken
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Pleased you had a look around with me Ken
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Oh, Jack! You’re so funny (but he’s actually right!) 😀
These paintings are fantastic, Pauline. I love the aboriginal art 😉
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A lot of overseas bloggers had not seen Aboriginal art. It is a very interesting culture, so sad it is being lost.
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