Ancient art brings city to life
Arts
ART from the world’s oldest civilisation is making the transition into the modern age.
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Indigenous Australian art has been a key element of Aboriginal culture and identity, and is the oldest unbroken art tradition in the world.
An artist in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is using Aboriginal techniques and styles to transform the city’s walls.
Elizabeth Close is using street art to embody the journey of her people from the Stolen Generations to present day.
She has focused on traditional portrait and canvas paintings in the past but was encouraged to experiment with other mediums.
“There aren’t that many street artists in Adelaide, let alone Aboriginal street artists. I am the only one I know of,” she said.
“Aboriginal art is a mixture of dots and variations of lines that we sort of incorporate into a picture. I try to use a lot of natural elements in my art.
“My work is a tribute to my people but also illustrates my own personal growth. To have it out there is an important thing for me to share. It’s there to show that we have survived, we are still here and we will continue to survive.”
Close comes from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands in South Australia’s North West and said her passion for art came from her grandmother.
“My grandmother was part of the Stolen Generation and she used art to help her piece her life back together,” Elizabeth said.
“Painting helped to hand me my identity as an Aboriginal woman. I used warm colours, desert colours, to sort of capture my identity and heritage.”
Elizabeth has two murals on inner-city walls in Adelaide, Burnt Scrub and Municipal Gum, highlighting the journey of her people and her personal growth.
Between 1910-1970 thousands of Aboriginal children were stolen from their families and forced to reject their Indigenous heritage. The Stolen Generations were made to assimilate into white Australian culture.
“Burnt Scrub represents the impact of colonialism on Aboriginal Land. I got the idea from bushfires and how they are very harmful and have a wide impact,” Close said.
“The picture is of a bunch of gum leaves. The shading is illustrative of those directly affected by the stolen generations and includes those who are still affected. It ranges from red on the left and fades lighter until it becomes black.
“All of us are affected, whether it was the earlier generations or the grandchildren. It’s the ripple effect.”
Close’s two wall murals were done in collaboration with 34 other street artists who wanted to design a free public outdoor gallery.
Originally an Adelaide Fringe Festival event called the Little Rundle Street Project, the exhibition was organised by local art champion Claire Graham and featured work from a number of local and international artists.
Ex-Adelaide artist Jimmy C, who recently received worldwide acclaim for his David Bowie mural in Brixton, England, was among those involved.
Close and 11 other artists from the project formed a collective called the Little Art Project, which aims create a vibrant multi-cultural art scene in Adelaide.
“With wall murals, more people have access to your artwork,” she said.
“Hopefully people will learn a little bit more about the richness of Aboriginal culture.”
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