Australian Aboriginal Art in the USA
This guide explores galleries across the USA that feature Australian Aboriginal Art. From the established museums of New York to the contemporary galleries of San Francisco, these spaces present the history and art of Australia's Aboriginal Artists. Art lovers and those interested in cultural exploration can discover places within the US where these Australian art forms find a platform, connecting distant lands through shared appreciation and engagement.
Charlottesville
In the heart of Virginia, Charlottesville emerges as an unexpected yet captivating destination for exploring Australian Aboriginal Art. This guide highlights a selection of galleries within the city, known for its rich historical backdrop and vibrant cultural scene, where the unique and storied art of Australia’s Indigenous peoples is on display. From the University of Virginia’s Fralin Museum of Art to local galleries that champion global art forms, art enthusiasts in Charlottesville are invited to immerse themselves in the rich narratives and distinctive visual styles of one of the world’s oldest continuous cultures, right in their own backyard.
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Houston
Houston is the largest city in Texas, known for its diverse population, thriving energy industry, and significant role in space exploration as the home of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The city boasts Aboriginal and Indigenous Art as part of its vibrant arts and cultural scene, including world-class museums, theatres, and a wide range of dining options, reflecting its multicultural heritage.
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Los Angeles
Los Angeles, often dubbed the City of Angels, has a rich history entwined with art. It emerged as a creative hub in the 20th century with the rise of Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Today, Los Angeles remains a vibrant art centre, boasting world-class museums, galleries, and a thriving street art culture, celebrating its history while pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.
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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.
ViewWhat 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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Galleries in USA