NAG puts aboriginal art on display
Islamabad: An exhibition on contemporary Aboriginal art titled ‘Bush Medicine’ was organised by Nomad Art Gallery (NAG) in collaboration with Australian High Commission here on Sunday.
The paintings of imminent Aboriginal artists including Gracie Morton Pwerle, Roseanne Morton, Willium Long, Anna Pitjara and Joy Pitjara were put on display.
“The Western Desert genre started at a school in the remote Papunya community in the northern territory, Australia, in 1960s when art teacher Geoffrey Bardon encouraged men to paint their dreaming on walls and doors of the schools using acrylic paint to teach Aboriginal children their heritage,” said Director NAG Nageen Hayat while speaking on the occasion. Men and women have their distinct dreaming, she added. Aboriginal individuals and families used to paint their bodies in ceremonies based on their respective mythology, she said.
“It is just a wonderful experience. I never came across art like this before and wish our Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) students to view such a fantastic work,” said a visitor while talking to this scribe.
Hamza, another visitor, expressed his delight to visualise thousands of years old heritage translated in a holistic and abstract manner on paper. He appreciated the concern and vision of Australian government, which is propagating its heritage to the masses abroad and producing monetary benefits for the artists. “Alas! Such an endeavour could have been conceived and exercised for the benefit of our own artists to protect and sustain the marvellous indigenous heritage in Pakistan,” he exclaimed.
It is worth mentioning here that Aborigines are people whose ancestors were indigenous to the Australian continent. Indigenous Australian art or Australian Aboriginal art is art made by the indigenous peoples of Australia and in collaborations between indigenous Australians and others. It includes works in a wide range of media including painting on leaves, woodcarving, rock carving, sculpture, ceremonial clothing and sand painting.
The exhibition will continue till tomorrow (Tuesday).
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