Dot, Xray & Other Original Aboriginal Paintings

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 a painting for a good view of it's detail. Good X-ray painting can match any other style of art in existance for skill & beauty.

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.

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. There is no background colour to either. The background is entirely dotwork! Coral Fish is obviously inspired by cave paintings & is being sold unframed. Dotwork is done with acrylic paint. On both paintings 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.

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 the look 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 an ancient traditional style. This style is used in several area of Australia & is a style needed to complete any collection of Australia Aborignal art. 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). Both paintings with their brown/orange tones 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. Both paintings illustrate the bond with nature & their traditional land (which can include the continental shelf & the ocean) Aboriginal Australian feel. Please enlarge both paintings to see their subtle details.

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.

As mentioned before different parts of Australia have different styles. These two are both traditional styles of Queensland & Western Australia. 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 modern complex x-ray style kangaroos that nicely illustrate Qld style aboriginal art. Acrylic paint on canvas this bright cheerful painting would grace any modern decor. Unframed.

These Minature Paintings make excellent gifts. They are a great gift idea for an exective gifts. They would make a memorable farewell gift for an office collegue or a welcoming gift for your latest office member. They suit most decores.

In the right corner for W.A. we have an older painting by the artist Koungie. It has the complex dot work typical of Aboriginal art from W.A. The Frilled Neck Lizard is beautifully depicted. The dreamtime story illustrates war. The colours also illustrate a bush fire; also war. This painting was originally purchases some time ago as an investment piece. The owner had never framed it but had stored it inside out (the incorrect way!) The canvas has been restored by being professional stretched & ofcourse framed. The paint & has refreshed & sealed. This lovely, very unusual painting with it's dark, but bright colours would be a nice addition to any collection. With it's quality wooden frame it matches extremely well formal furniture in mahogany, rich brown polished wood or even red cedar wood furniture & wood look right at home in Europe or North America. Very, very cheap at $395.95

Australian Aboriginal Dot & X-ray Paintings