PICTURES OF DREAMTIME. Contemporary Art from Central Australia

April 30 to August 15, 2010
An exhibition of the Völkerkundemuseum Herrnhut and the GRASSI Museum für Völkerkunde in Leipzig

Colourful, exciting and dynamic artworks: these are mystical stories painted on canvas with acryl. In the past 30 years, the art of the indigenous Australians was more and more appreciated nationally and internationally. It is no longer seen as a relic of a dying nation, but as an expression of an uniquely old, yet lively and flexible culture. It is an irreplaceable part of our cultural heritage.

The special exhibition at the Völkerkundemuseum Herrenhut presents 30, partly large-sized, works by Aboriginal artists from the central desert region. Since the mid 1970s, the art form known as dot paintings has developed in the region around Alice Springs and there has been a great demand by private collectors and art galleries every since. Its origins can be found in traditional sand pictures. Such sand pictures, which symbolize the power of the forefathers and mystical heroes, their journeys and doings in their dreamtime, are even today enormously important for the indigenous ceremonies. Their patterns and motives are very old, possess a strong connection to certain places and events and are connected to totemic plants and animals. Finally, they reflect the relation between humans and their natural environment. Moreover, there are artistic depictions of personal dreams of the artists - of chasings, painful stories and of current events. Next to the widening of the themes, the diversified means of design – today acryl on canvas, earlier earth colours, coal, feathers, stones and branches on soil – have lead to new artistic possibilities and freedom.

A large number of the exhibited works can be purchased. They were created by several Aboriginal artists to support Western Desert Dialysis Appeal – a medical aid project for Aborigines. The total revenue of the painting’s sale will be inured to the whole benefit of the project.