Yellow represents water, and the markings on the back of the great snake ancestor (see our last blog on the
White is the spirit colour. Black is the colour of night and represents Aboriginal people. Red is the colour of the land or of blood. Yellow is the colour of the sun and sacred.
The black symbolises Aboriginal people. The yellow represents the sun, the constant re-newer of life. Red depicts the earth and peoples' relationship to the land. It also represents ochre, which is used by Aboriginal people in ceremonies. Image: Harold Joseph Thomas.
Aboriginal people have always used the colours available to them and incorporated them into their art. Before contact, colour was made using natural earth pigments. Today, artists use a variety of colours to express themselves and add layers of meaning to their art.
Ochre Is Used As Foundation of Cultural Expression
Ochre is one of the principal foundations of Australian Indigenous art. Ochres are primarily natural pigments and minerals found in the soil, or even in charcoal. These natural pigments (colours) were originally used to depict Dreamtime stories and maps.
Materials (colours) used for Aboriginal art was originally obtained from the local land. Ochre or iron clay pigments were used to produce colours such as white, yellow, red and black from charcoal. Other colours were soon added such as smokey greys, sage greens and saltbush mauves.
Over the centuries since its discovery yellow ochre's vivid vibrancy has often been compared with the glowing light of the sun or the vibrant warmth of human skin, but it has also taken on many other conflicting meanings and associations ranging from optimism and warning to cowardice and segregation.
Only an Aboriginal artist can produce Aboriginal art
It seems obvious, but Aboriginal art is only considered Aboriginal if painted by someone who is of that origin. A non-Indigenous Australian does not have the authority to paint an Aboriginal piece of artwork.
The spindle motif in his 'Man's Love Story' artworks has become synonymous as an Aboriginal symbol for love.
They are the warm colours of iron oxides that are prominent in all regions of the Australia continent. The colours vary from the deepest chocolate browns, through orange tones, tobacco reds and blood reds, through to lighter tones of yellows and creams, where there's more white clay involved.
Yellow is a bright, cheery color associated with happiness, optimism, and warmth in the U.S. However, yellow also has an array of negative connotations in other parts of the globe. In Egypt and much of Latin America, the color is linked to death and mourning. For Germans, yellow symbolizes envy and jealousy.
Long associated with Australian sporting achievements, the national colours have strong environmental connections. Gold conjures images of Australia's beaches, mineral wealth, grain harvests and the fleece of Australian wool. Green evokes the forests, eucalyptus trees and pastures of the Australian landscape.
The EWPA Operator Licence (Yellow Card) is an industry initiative helping to provide a safer working environment for all stakeholders. It is formally structured, continuously reviewed and a widely recognised program that meets the legislated requirements to operate MEWPs in Australia.
The Indigenous Art Code is a proprietary company run by its members/signees and was founded to combat unethical trading in Aboriginal Art. The code is voluntary and is open to all industry members wishing to sign it.
Traditionally, the highly creative application of body paint has been used as a way for Aboriginal people to show important aspects of their lives, such as social status, familial group, tribe, ancestry, spirituality and geography.
The sacred Aboriginal colours, said to be given to indigenous people during Tjukurpa*, are Black, Red, Yellow and White.
The eight pointed star, which is one symbol of hope in Indigenous culture, is, as you might guess, an eight pointed star with a circle in the middle surrounded by another circle. The circles stand for balance and anticipation for the future.
There is nothing wrong with non-Indigenous people wearing or embracing Indigenous material culture, provided that culture was made locally, and was made for sale. Wear Aboriginal iconography and jewellery, but do it with integrity.
Indigenous artists, especially beadworkers, say they're regularly asked these questions. “My response is always 'Absolutely, it's OK,'” said Nicole Geary a registered member of Sahtu Dene and Métis of Norman Wells and the artist behind Beaded Legacy.
You will find most galleries have pretty tight guidelines when it comes to taking pictures of artworks. Due to the sensitive nature of some pieces, flashes need to be turned off so if you are unsure, please ask a staff member.
The color of sunshine, yellow brings about positive feelings. Joy, happiness, and hope are all within yellow's domain. It can boost confidence, curiosity, and even improve learning.
Yellow symbolizes intellect, creativity, happiness and the power of persuasion. It is also associated with cowardice. In healing use yellow to promote clarity of thought. In the aura yellow signifies intellectual development, for either material or spiritual ends.
In almost every culture yellow represents sunshine, happiness, and warmth. Yellow is the color most often associated with the deity in many religions (Hinduism and Ancient Egypt) Yellow is the color of traffic lights and signs indicating caution all over the world.