Australian Aboriginal Art in Washington D.C.
Washington, D.C. is the capital city of the United States, known for its iconic landmarks, including the White House, Capitol Building, and National Mall. It’s a hub of historical significance and cultural institutions, with a vibrant arts scene and a wealth of museums, galleries, and monuments that showcase the nation’s history and diverse cultural heritage as well as the work of many Australian Aboriginal Artists.
Embassy of Australia Art Gallery
The Embassy of Australia Art Gallery in Washington, D.C., stands out for its focused showcase of Australian art, balancing both historical and contemporary perspectives. Renowned for educating international audiences, the gallery features classic Australian works alongside contemporary pieces, reflecting the country’s evolving artistic narrative.
Image: Washington D.C. Embassy of Australia
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Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., is an esteemed institution dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Native American cultures. With a collection of over 800,000 items, it offers an expansive view of Native American history, art, and culture, from ancient times to the present. The museum’s design and curated exhibits blend historical and contemporary perspectives, enriching visitors’ understanding of Native American heritage. While it primarily focuses on Native American art, its dedication to showcasing the diversity and resilience of Native American tribes makes it an invaluable cultural and educational resource.
Image: Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
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The Phillips Collection
The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., revered as America’s first museum of modern art, offers a unique blend of classic and contemporary art. Known for its Impressionist, Modernist, and American masterworks, the museum has evolved to include contemporary and culturally diverse artworks. Notable exhibitions like “Dreamings: The Art of Aboriginal Australia” showcase Australian Aboriginal Art, highlighting the museum’s commitment to presenting a broad spectrum of artistic expressions. This approach not only enriches the visitor experience but also positions The Phillips Collection as a pivotal institution in the dialogue of global art history and contemporary art trends.
Image: Yukultji Napangati, Ancestral Women at Yunala via The Phillips Collection
VisitWhat is Aboriginal art?
Aboriginal art is part of the culture of Australian Aboriginal people who have lived on the Australian continent for over 50,000 years. They represent the longest continuous culture to be found anywhere on earth. Examples of Aboriginal art are found in caves and rock shelters, and the oldest of these have been dated back at least 18,000 years.
When did Aboriginal art start / how old is Aboriginal art?
Aboriginal art is part of the oldest continuous living culture in world history, with Australian Aboriginal people having settled on the Australian continent somewhere between 60,000 and 80,000 years ago. Evidence of Aboriginal culture is found in the rock art, which so far has been dated back at least 20,000 years, while archaeology has dated ancient campsites back to 50,000 to 65,000 years. Contemporary Aboriginal art is considered to start at the desert community of Papunya in 1971, when senior desert men began to paint their cultural stories using modern materials. This was prompted by school teacher Geoffrey Bardon requesting that school children paint their own stories, leading the senior men to open up their deeply held cultural knowledge to outside observers. The Papunya Tula desert art movement then influenced other communities to join the art movement through the following decades.
Where did Aboriginal art come from?
Australian Aboriginal people had two traditional forms of communication. These were oral storytelling and song as well as visual communication through drawing, painting and the use of ceremonial design. There was no written language, however for many survival depended on the ability to remember where food and water sources could be found at different times of the year. Aboriginal artists often paint maps of Country showing important landmarks. They often use an aerial perspective even when they have never been in a plane.
What is “Dreaming” (or “Dreamtime”) in Aboriginal art?
At the heart of Aboriginal culture and therefore of Aboriginal art, is the Creation law set down in the Dreaming, which provides the identity for traditional Aboriginal people and their connection to the land. Dreamtime is one translation of the Creation time for Aboriginal people, other terms often seen are Jukurrpa and Tingari - the term used varies according to the particular local language. Many Aboriginal artists paint aspects of their Dreaming, which forms part of their inheritance and their identity.
Read More: Aboriginal Art and the Dreamtime
Can I learn about specific Dreaming stories (e.g., Seven Sisters, Water Dreaming)?
Yes, Japingka’s guides cover stories like Seven Sisters (Pleiades) and Water Dreaming, explaining cultural context and how artists depict them.
Read More: Aboriginal Dreamtime Stories
What is dot painting and where did it come from?
Australian Aboriginal dot paintings are typical of a style of art works from the Central and Western Desert. They are a medium for telling stories and enlivening culture.
Read More: Aboriginal Dot Painting
Japingka Gallery ships Aboriginal artworks worldwide. View artwork collections.
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