Aboriginal Art in the Northern Territory

This subject is taught in Darwin with visits to artistically significant Aboriginal communities. Emphasising Indigenous ownership of cultural knowledge, students will consider the history and development of Aboriginal art in the Northern Territory and the specific social, economic, geographical and cultural effects it has generated. In a series of structured classes, students will be versed in protocols and introduced to traditional owners and community members. During visits to communities, students will witness the creation of artworks and be able to initiate projects based on primary research. They will learn about the key issues and elements governing the contemporary Aboriginal art scene, the relationship between art and culture, including the importance of art in the wider community. Funding, management models and resource availability will be explained in relation to the art centres visited. Students will also study the display and consumption of Indigenous art at institutional and tourist levels. This is an intensive subject taught in Darwin and surrounding communities in the Northern Territory in June-July. A quota of 10-12 students applies to this subject.

探讨澳大利亚北领地原住民艺术的特色。

• 1Recall having met and interacted with Australian Aboriginal people from a diverse range of communities and learnt about their art, its history and culture.
• 2Identify the literature on, and recount their experiences at first hand, a range of issues that Australian Aboriginal people face, and how these have influenced and affected art production.
• 3Understand the need to establish networks and foster relationships that recognise and respect Indigenous knowledge, leading to equitable research partnerships in the field of art history.
• 4Recognise the relevant literature in art history that addresses the place of the Aboriginal art genre, the range of interpretive methodologies applied in the study of Aboriginal art and the politics of consumption and display.