BARK PAINTINGSAboriginal Art

BARK PAINTINGS

Aboriginal Art

Bark painting is an Australian Aboriginal art-form which is done on the inside strip of a trees bark. Traditionally, bark paintings were made for ceremonial purposes. Today, they are highly sought after by collectors and public arts institutions.

Artists use bark they collect from the Stringybark tree. Stringybark trees can be any of the many Eucalyptus tree species that have thick, fibrous bark.

These men are collecting bark from a Stringybark tree for a painting.

“Why do you think Aboriginal people use bark for their paintings?”

Characteristics of Aboriginal Bark Paintings

A bark painting is made up of several parts. Not all of these points are always included in a bark painting, but they are generally applied in the following order:

1. Border

2. Dividing LinesThese lines separate the painting into several different areas that

contain different patterns, designs, and figures.

3. Figurative DesignsFigurative designs are designs that resembles something like an

animal, person, or an object. In aboriginal bark paintings it is common for these figurative designs to be of native animals.

4. Geometric DesignsMany Bark paintings contain detailed geometric designs. These designs are commonly made from shapes or lines that form patterns.

As you look at the next few examples of bark paintings pay attention to the colors most commonly used.

What colors did you see used? Why do you think aboriginal people didn’t use more variety of colors?

Now you will create your own bark paintings!

1. Remember the four parts of bark paintings that we discussed. You will include these in your own paintings

- Border Goes around the outside of your painting.

- Dividing Lines Separates your painting into different spaces.

- Figurative Designs People, Animals, plants, recognizable objects.

- Geometric Designs Shapes and patterns. Triangles, circles, lines, diamonds, squares, etc.

Before you paint, use your pencil to make your border, divide your paper, and create your designs.