For the Aboriginal People of Australia, their country is
more than a place to live. Every mountain, river, waterhole, tree, animal etc.
are part of their dreaming. Per the Aboriginal dreaming, it is believed that
all was created by their ancestors, who live in the five elements
of nature: air, land, water, sky, and fire.
Aboriginal people strictly follow an unwritten law of caring
for the land, animal, bush etc. of their country, to pass on to newer
generations. Often, a place with rock art, waterhole, and wild bush; is
referred as a Creek where the Aboriginal women gather to either find food,
fetch water or perform a ceremony or a ritual. The artists engrave their
dreamings on mountains and/or rocks as a message to future generations and also
to embark their skill.
The artists:
Gathering by the Creek by Janet Long Nakamarra comes from Utopia region of Central
Australia. She belongs to the Nakamarra family and speaks Anmatyerre language.
Her dreamings mainly involve Fire Dreaming, Underground Water, Sandy Creek etc.
Dreamtime Riverbed - Aboriginal people have been
living in Australia for approximately 60,000 years. Australia is the driest continent on Earth
and Aboriginal people are dependent on the creeks and rivers for their survival
and remember the rivers by telling stories, singing songs, visiting dry river
beds and painting pictures of a place or area onto canvas, in caves, etc. The
Utopia region of Australia is the home of many aboriginal people covering over
3500 square kilometres in the vicinity of the Sandover River.
Anna Pitjara has painted her interpretation of dry river
beds onto canvas which has then been printed to fabric. This beautiful design shows people walking
through the river bed and discussing how to maintain the river for future
generations.
Bush Tucker by June Smith. For thousands of years Aboriginal people survived living off
the land, eating well when food was plentiful & conserving it in times of
drought. This food is called bush tucker or bush food, and it’s Australia’s
native food.
Possum Land and Water Dreaming has been designed by Heather Kennedy, and
Heather depicts her dreaming with the skilful use of Aboriginal symbolism. She
dreams of how the Possum travels on the land and water. Heather is from
Victoria and is a well-known artist and a designer. Possum land and water
dreaming is a unique design work which will enhance her design skill to another
dimension.