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Lesson Plans


Koori Art

From: J+G Grant (jggrant)
Date: Tue Feb 22 2000 - 13:16:44 PST

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    Hi Roberta,
    What level do you teach at? I can perhaps give you information as to where
    to look but before you start, maybe you should check out the Aboriginal and
    Torres Strait Islander page at
    http://dargo.vicnet.net.au/aboriginal/default.cfm
    and follow links to the National Indigenous Arts Advocacy Association, which
    has the following information-
    >Q Should non-Aboriginal or non-Torres Strait Islander people paint
    Aboriginal >images and styles?

    >A: If you are not Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander you should not use
    Aboriginal >or Torres Strait Islander designs or images in your artwork.

    >The National Indigenous Arts Advocacy Association (NIAAA) is concerned
    about the >number of non-Indigenous artists that are using representations
    of Aboriginal and >Torres Strait Islander cultural images.
    >Images such as the rainbow serpent and specific Aboriginal designs such as
    the >rarrk, x-ray and acrylic dots have been used by non-Aboriginal artists
    in their >artworks. NIAAA does not endorse the use of Aboriginal and Torres
    Strait Islander >designs and images by non-Indigenous artists. We believe
    that a person seeing >the design or purchasing the artwork would be led to
    think that it was in fact, >produced by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait
    Islander artist.
    >Further, by copying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designs and
    images, the >cultural significance of the designs and images are being
    weakened. Given the >history of mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
    Islander people in Australia, >it is important that Aboriginal and Torres
    Strait Islander people have control over >the development of their own forms
    of artistic and cultural expression. To this end, >NIAAA strongly urges
    non-Indigenous artists to respect the cultural and religious >significance
    of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander images and not use them in >their
    artworks.

    To this end, I can give a 'generic' lesson to elementary students with the
    proviso that children create their own symbols (they love doing this). The
    CD-Rom 'Moorditj' is full of Australian Indigenous artworks of various kinds
    and gives you a good overview. If anyone wants to know anything about other
    forms of Australian art, I would be only too happy to help out.
    Gina (Melbourne, Australia) 

    ---

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