How is Aboriginal Art and
Culture linked together?

Aboriginal Art and Culture are tied together by life.

For most Aboriginal people their daily lives are dictated by their culture unless they are living in a city or suburb. Their Art depicts certain aspects of their daily life even if they are not actually experiencing it that day.

Aboriginal people do not have a written language so their stories and history is recorded in their art.

Most all of the stories have both a dance and a song which also helps to tell the story.

Many parts of these stories are forbidden to be told to women, men or outsiders and are called secret men’s or secret women’s business.

This information is sensitive to their cultural beliefs.

Often some of this information is put into paintings but unfortunately we are unable to see it because of our complete lack of understanding of their culture.

They feel a need to record their history and their dreaming as that gives them purpose and importance.

Since the early 1970’s when their art was first being commercially being sold they have learned the value of their stories to non Aboriginal people.

Aboriginal Art and its culture are inseparable.

Aboriginal art is also what is helping to maintain their culture by providing them an income while recognising the value in what they are producing. Even if we do not fully understand it we can appreciate the artistic merit of it.

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