'The Birth of Djang'kawu at Yalangbara' (1982) is a Wandjuk Marika bark painting from ochres which depicts the Aboriginal Dreamtime story of creation. Aboriginal art often tells a story and has been the main way of passing down Dreamtime stories in Aboriginal history. However, these are not only stories; their artwork often reflects their spiritual beliefs. Marika's painting is his interpretation of a Dreamtime story that displays the Aboriginal understanding of creation. He uses traditional style despite the modern context, which shows the importance of this ancient culture. There are 3 frames in this artwork, each tells its separate story but altogether a new story is created.
In the picture there are three sections and each has its own meaning. To me the first section is about God, a leader or the creator and he is holding two poles that are the same size as him, this signifies physical authority. In the background there are trees and grass from the bush and surroundings. Around the neck of the man is a Talisman or Amulet that in other sections, the figures do not have. He is centrally placed in the frame and is physically larger than all the other figures. The texture of the background is an Aboriginal style background that can also be known as Cross Hatching.
The second section has two females (known because their chests are prominent) with children "cascading" from the two women, feet first. Normally children are born head first, so this shows the limited understanding of the Aboriginals. This section signifies Birth and reproduction but also means mass population. The offspring are seen as a "whole" not as individuals so this may show that Aboriginals see reproduction as simply a way of increasing the population. This is shown through the way the children are all lined shoulder to shoulder all facing the same way. The children are also labelled in a reddish brown and black so this could signify males and females in their own groups. The meaning of the frame is reinforced as it is symmetrical and therefore we are seeing the image doubled.
The third section shows the same two women notably smaller in size than the women in section two. This may mean they are either new women (ready for the reproductive cycle) or it could be the same two women shown in section two. There are no children present which indicates their knowledge that the children eventually grow up and leave the mother (as do animals in the wild). On each side of the women there are three circles. This could be a symbol of continuous life and the reproduction cycle (known as the life cycle).
All three frames are linked as a whole by the rrarking which is present in all three frames. This shows a unity of the same story being told. It also provides context to the Aboriginal style. The story is about the reproduction of the Aboriginal Community and that they see reproduction as a way to power. In section one, the man holding the poles is probably the elder or tribal leader, in section two the women are reproducing and section three it is either a new set of women or the same women after the reproductive cycle.
Swimming before School (1995) is an Ian Abdulla Synthetic Polymer on Canvas Painting that shows his way describing the way that his land has been dispossessed. He is among many that think this way and wish that they could just join white community and not be discriminated.
The impact that the painting has upon me and the audience is the vivid blues of the sky and the river; the mixture of children mixing with others and carefree animals; observers on the top bank enjoying the moment and the children, not just having a bath but having fun at the same time with family and friends. I am struck by the mixing of birds, animals and children in the same scene. The scene looks peaceful and serene. The trees bring out the beauty of the area, and make it look peaceful.
When I look at the painting I am reminded of swimming in my pool; going to swimming practice in the morning; camping near a river, and playing in it. I am reminded of how nice it is to be close to animals. It also reminds me of being in Western Australia, with 34 degree temperatures, blue sky, no wind, day after day. I am reminded of having fun in the water, and bathing in general.
The title can mean many things but to me it means bathing, fun and rest before a hard day. It is the expectation that a bath was required before having to walk 10 miles to school, probably in the dust. It also has the Anglo Australian meaning that many children today have swimming practice before school and these show the Aboriginal swimming practice. It also shows the adoption of aboriginal culture and Anglo-Australian/Western culture with the mixing of “Swimming” and “School”.
