BIRD & FLOWER

COLORS used in this artwork are blends of raw sienna and browns.

BACKGROUND is satin eggshell.

TEXTURING is very soft and minimal, mostly appearing on the wall surrounding the picture. This is a unique piece as the artist has left her handprints to the left of the picture, mirroring the cultural inspiration.

SIZE is 32”H x 19”W

CULTURAL INSPRIATION: X-ray complex art, is believed to be from the Estuarine period, some 4,000 to 8, 000 years ago. These pieces of art show much intellectual realism, depicting animals exposing internal organs, muscle mass and external form. X-ray art encompasses many styles, including ‘early’ X-ray, which was usually monochromatic red, and a fugitive color. In some regions of Australia this form of art developed into realistic forms. These were multi-colored and masterfully drawn. Over the years of archeological research, many of these finely hatched drawing were found in shelters located in the western and northern parts of the plateau along the East Alligator River. Some of the X-ray representations of fish are so faithfully descriptive that specific species can be accurately identified. This picture of “Bird & Flower” is from the Gunwinggu clan of Oenpelli in Arnhem Land.