Women bring new life to aboriginal art

By Phil Mercer
BBC News, Sydney

Women's lives are a 'constant theme' for artist Bronwyn Bancroft

Women have become the driving force behind Australia's booming aboriginal art trade.

They are often semi-nomadic, living traditional lives and have never been to art school, but are increasingly dominating a multi-million dollar industry.

"Aboriginal women are having a wonderful effect on Australian art," said Linda Burney, the first indigenous MP elected to the New South Wales state parliament.

"They tell a story about Australia that isn't told by anyone else."

The movement displays vibrancy and depth, from body painting and rock art to music and dance. The celebrated "dot paintings" are a product of the harsh Western Desert, while urban artists are enjoying success, too.

The importance of family features prominently, as do political and social struggles.

A key theme is the spiritual attachment Aborigines have with the land. The Earth is seen as a living mass, full of wisdom and mystery. The skill of the artist is to capture that energy and beauty.

International audience

Above all else, these are stories of cultural durability.

"We call it an alchemy with tradition and modernity combining to make something new," explained Hetty Perkins from the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

She believes the industry has blossomed thanks to European buyers - especially the British, French and Germans - and those in the United States.

"Overseas interest has really led the way in encouraging indigenous artists to keep making art in the face of relative indifference from Australian audiences," she said.

"And certainly women artists have brokered that engagement with the international art world."

It is also about making sure there is some sort of economy within those often very depressed and poor places Linda Burney MP

Art was once considered the preserve of aboriginal men, who had a monopoly on cultural ceremonies.

Ms Perkins says that has all changed in the past 30 years. Women now have greater influence.

"It grew up out of women's centres in remote communities," she explained. "So the practice of women sitting around talking and having cups of tea... was really a very fertile ground for these wonderful art practices."

In some isolated settlements, painting has become a powerful weapon against poverty.

"It not only about producing good pictures," said Linda Burney. "It is also about making sure there is some sort of economy within those often very depressed and poor places."

Art has allowed people to live on ancestral lands rather than drifting off to the cities. In many ways it has re-awakened a sense of cultural awareness.

Hard issues

Urban aboriginal artists are now striving for the same recognition enjoyed by their outback cousins.

"International tourists are more interested in the traditional art... whereas a lot of aboriginal people have already been there, done that and they're trying to move on to bigger, new things," said Matthew Poll from the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative in Sydney.

"The real challenge is to get audiences interested in the art of urban aboriginal people and how their perspective can still be unique in Australia."

Urban works often have a contemporary edge

As for the work of black women in the cities, there is a feeling it can often have a more gritty, contemporary edge.

"Through female artists, the issues of domestic violence and alcohol abuse are being brought to light," Mr Poll said.

"Art is a perfect vehicle to get those ideas of women saying 'Hey, we've had enough of this'. Art is a great liberator."

It certainly has been for Bronwyn Bancroft, who has had a career spanning 30 productive years.

The "resourcefulness and strength of women are constant themes" in her work, along with family and the environment.

"It's a complete passion. I'm driven by it," she enthused.

"It's my whole life apart from my children. Without the passion that I've had from my art, I don't think I would have been able to develop into the person I am today, which I'm pretty proud of."