Posted by Mbantua Gallery on 2020 Jun 19th
The Adaption of Dot Art Paintings
It has been suggested that the first Aboriginal dot artemerged into western society in the 1970’s. The chances of people outside ofAboriginal communities seeing dot painting then was considered extremely rare. Yetwithin such a short period of time, this style, that’s widely recognisable asAboriginal art, has begun to diversify within communities.
Styles have slowly merged, and modern forms of dot paintingare increasingly changing. So, what exactly is dot art and how has it changedover the years?
What is dot art?
Dot art is a style of painting created by the dotting ofpaint, rather than brush strokes. The dots are traditionally applied with a stick,but various instruments can be used to create this form of art. This technique craftsan image that seems to leap off the page and come to life, forming an optical illusion.
Artists have adapted their own signature styles, ranging fromthe traditional form of individual dots through to connecting dots for a dabbedeffect. Yet the same principles of dot art apply.
How has dot art changed?
The communities of the central desert really shifted dot artinto the limelight in terms of international exposure, making it recognisableacross the globe. However, the dot paint technique has slowly changed, and eachAboriginal community have adapted their styles in different ways.
Some artists retain their traditional techniques with others,using larger brush strokes, are blurring the line between styles. Others usemultiple dotting, creating a layered effectanda dense contrast in colours. So, what’s influencing this change?
It has a lot to do with differing regions, new emergingartists and how innovative new Aboriginal artists are. Experimenting with neattraditional dots to dramatic and windswept strokes allows artists to extendtheir creativity and make a name for themselves within the industry.
Making way for new dot artists
Dot artis an important part of expression for Aboriginal communities. Traditionallythe colours of dot art were obtained by the land and so it was reflected in theart, however now artworks can range from earthy tones to bright vibrantcolours. So, this is an exciting time for Aboriginal art with passionatecreatives making their mark.
If you would like to learn more about the techniques used inAboriginal art, you can contact our friendly staff at MbantuaGallery. Otherwise, feel free to browse our range of available artwork on ourwebsite.
