Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya organised on Wednesday another chapter of its popular series, Museum Popular lecture where Franchesca Cubillo (Senior Curator Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art, National Gallery of Australia, Australia) spoke on ‘Australian Abroginal Art’ in her expert lecture.
Franchesca commenced her lecture by quoting an aboriginal artist, Galawuy Yunupingu, who said, “We are painting as we have always done to demonstrate our continuing link with our country and the rights and responsibility we have to it.”
Describing the origin of art amongst aboriginals, she said, “Aboriginals predicted that they may not survive long. Hence they started painting using every material available like tree barks, linen, rocks etc.” Through their paintings they teach young generations about their ancestors who created the world.
Cubillo said, “The colonisers in the beginning found more than 300 tribes each with different language, kinship and art.” She presented a power point presentation with paintings of aboriginal artisans from three centuries and described the inner details. She informed that all these paintings have ‘dreaming narrative story’, which are basically mythical stories of ancestors taught to each child as part of education.
Explaining the present situation, she informed that commercialisation of aboriginal art commenced in late 1970s and demand kept on increasing. Presently each painting costs thousands of dollars. The women from the community began painting only in 21st century.
Speaking about the contributions and role of museums in conserving an promoting aboriginal art, the Senior Curator said “Museums are doing an exemplary work in protecting the artists right, guiding government in policy making. The museums are increasing the numbers of aboriginal curators for providing better assistance to the artists.”