Aboriginal Dreamtime
Indigenous Australian oracle drawing from 30,000-year artistic tradition.
by Melinda Brown · 2017
Find a copy →We link out and never sell decks. Buying through links may earn us a small commission.
The record
The art of Indigenous Australians is the oldest known ongoing tradition of art in the world. The earliest artworks date back more than 30,000 years, and were painted and engraved on rocks and in caves. Later expressions of art include body painting, bark painting, ground designs, woodcarvings, stone arrangements, string art. In more recent times artists have branched out to modern mediums including oil and acrylic paints on canvas, fabric and textile design, installations, sculptures, engravings, weaving, and ceremonial art. The most commonly recognised style of art is the 'dot paintings however Aboriginal art varies among differing language and regional groups. Indigenous Australians have no written language so their artwork is used to convey important myths and ancient tales centred largely in the Dreamtime, using symbols, patterns, and stylised information maps. The visual art is complemented by stories, traditional dances and songs passed from generation to generation. Mel Brown is a Ngunnawal woman, deeply involved in her community. She is an artist, author, counsellor, professional speaker and trainer, with expertise rooted in the many social issues facing Aboriginal Austral
The cards
