Paintings, engraving and other cave art can be found in many locations in all parts of Australia. Animals, boomerangs and other implements are depicted. Depending on its location, whether secular or spiritual, these can have different meanings. Ancestral spirits and stories from the Dreamtime are sometimes drawn. Hand stencils are often depicted. Fingers in different positions are a type of alphabet. (How many did you notice in the Wanaruah section?) Hand stencils can mean that the person is in their home territory and belongs to the land. White hand stencils can be a sign of peace. Colours are made from ochre. The skill involved is amazing especially as in some cases the paint is blown on. As you can observe in this section (and in the previous), paintings are often done on top of paintings that are done on top of paintings. This can be for decorate reasons, but is often done for spiritual reasons. In fact the act of painting itself could have profound spiritual significance. The location, particularly of sacred art, was often important. Some paintings were renewed by succeeding generations. Aboriginal cave paintings range from the simple to the complex, and are often very beautiful. Our x-ray art is world famous. It is most commonly found in locations in far northern Australia. Many people visit Kakadu and other parts of the Northern Territory to see our beautiful art for themselves. Because of page loading times photos below are only samples. The ones you buy are higher pixel & look even better!
All photographs in this section can either be downloaded or purchased from us. To download, put your item/s in cart & after payment you can immediately download them to your computer. Archival quality prints are available in two sizes 13in x 19in (329mm x 483mm) & 9.5in x 13in (329mm x 483mm) posters. You may buy as many photographs as you like from different sections of this store & you will be charged just a total of $10.45 for postage. The more you buy - the more you save. Your photographs will be postaged to you ASAP. All photos are clickable.
Sample Cave - locate in the Northern Australia this cave is a typical example of art. It has a nice mixture of red, white & coloured orche. Note that the photos have been repeatedly painted over. Ancestral spirits are shown in white.
Figure Sticks - "Religious art from the N.T. This is considered by many to be the oldest religious art in Northern Australia. Has a nice mixture of colours, particularly yellow orche which is not seen as often as the other colours.
Old Cave - many interesting forms & pattern can be seen in this cave in northern Australia. Renewing paintings can have a religious significance. It is also interesting to see how the styles change with age; note the x-ray paintings on top.
A Turtle Appears - Another gallery photo. Turtles were popular food. So it isn't surprising to see a decorated xray turtle painted on this cave in Kakadu National Park N.T.
Floating Ghosts - Multi-layers of aboriginal paintings in cave at Kakadu N.T. True meaning only known to the inciated persons. An interesting example of x-ray art.
Lightning Man - A very important ancestral spirit to the people living near Arhnem Land N.T. This one was painted only about 60 years ago. It is located in Kakadu National Park. The artist is known. Many Aboriginals in the area still hold traditional spiritual beliefs.
Hole in The Rock - Taken in the Keep River National Park; a much overlooked area in the N.T./W.A. border region. The local people are still living in their traditional land & their art is abundant & beautiful. The Rainbow serpent & many other symbols are depicted. Their art is being renewed in the traditional way.
Many Symbols - An excellent example of traditional Australian art. There are many layers of paintings done in a variety of orche colours. An example of indigenous religious art.
Mimi Figures - Mimi figures are a distinct feature of art from the Kimberley region of Western Australia.Mimi art is an ancient art style; though some modern Aborigines speak of "Mimi Lights'.
Gorge Art - near Alice Springs N.T. Tourists visiting for the scenery of gorges like this often overlook the rockart. In the dry centre of Australia painting such as these last for centuries.
Fighting Kangaroos - from northern Australia. Old paintings that illustrate the how paintings are done in many layers. These 'kangaroos' no doubt represent important ancestral figures.
