Our two previous pages also contain examples of Dot paintings. In previous years 'Dot Art' was often used to refer to a specific style of desert art. Today it tends to be used in relation to all aboriginal paintings that have a substantially amount of dot work. X-ray Paintings in previous times were done on cave walls & bark (see examples) but as canvas & paper etc are available for modern Aboriginal artists to use we see this style on these mediums as well. Click on examples shown to get a good view of the detail. Good X-ray painting can match any other style of art in existance for skill & beauty.
2 x Dot & X-ray Fish
From our Cave Art Photographs you will have noticed that Fish are commonly done in x-ray style. As Tasmania is an island, & the sea was a big part of the culture it is not surprising that Tasmanian artist Tassie Terry enjoys painting fish. Here are 2 lovely examples; 1 framed, 1 not.
Coral Fish
Hungry Fish - is beautifully framed with gold & blue matting & a handsome gold frame. I have also include a photo of the painting unframed as enlarged it shows more of the x-ray details of the fish. The scaling of the fish is also seen in thick white gloss paint. It is 3 dimensional with the fish & greenery being professional pressed onto the bright dot background. An unusual & beautiful modern piece which would suit many home decors. Measures 16in (40cm) x 19.5in (50cm) complete with signed story.
Many hours went into the dot work on both these pieces. Coral Fish is obviously inspired by cave paintings & is being sold unframed. Dotwork is done with acrylic paint. The Fish is a mixture of watercolour, pearl & gouche, which gives it extra brightness & subtle bone structure. 30 x 21cm. Comes with an extensive historical story.
3 x Tribal Symbols - a little piece of Traditional Art
Wanaruah
Worimi
Wonnarua eagle
The symbol of the Wonaruah Nation is the Wedge Tail Eagle. Here is it shown in traditional dot form, the second using darker orche colours with a wooden frame, while the first has a nice gold coloured frame. The symbol of the adjoining Worimi People is the Dolphin, here depicted in modern Dot form, by an artist with ties to both peoples. All paintings are professional framed standard size minatures with double matting, & come with signed stories about the tribes.
Compare Watercolour with acyrlic paint. Little Head in Kelp is painted in watercolour. Horses in Kelp is painted with acrylic paint. Both were painted on watercolour paper. Enlarge & compare! Both are professional framed with 3 - 4 mattings rather than just 2.
Read the important enviromental story that inspired these paintings. Both are painted in a ancient traditional style. Little Head consists of 3 paintings forming a nice set. The measurements of the larger paintings are 54cm x 34cm. The two smaller are both 27cm x 27cm. They can be hung as shown; or with a smaller painting on each side of the larger. As Horses in Kelp was an entry in a very important art competition, the framing is more elaborate than normal with a total of 4 matting used. Larger than the average minature it measures 12.5in x 12.5in (32cm x 32cm). It would look right at home in the modern home or office. It would also be a good conversation piece for anyone concerned with climate change.
The Dotwork on this Western Australian painting has to be seen to be believed! Even enlargening the photos will only give you some idea. The entire painting consists of dotwork done with the end of a match! It is done in a mixture of traditional & modern colours. It was previously been stretched & framed; so now only needs to be framed. It has recently been re-laquered which has made the colours lovely & bright & will ensure that it remains in good condition for many years. Acyrlic paint on canvas it measures 89cm (35in) x 112cm (43in). Framed it would measure a little less. Expect to pay at least 300% more for this amount of dot work & dot work this fine is almost never seen on a modern work of this size. Truly great Dot Art Work.
In the Left hand corner for Queensland we have a typical traditional style painting by Timba. Painted in strictly traditional colours it has dot work & two of modern x-ray style kangaroos. Acrylic paint on canvas unframed this bright cheerful painting would grace any modern decor.
