Aboriginal Watercolour Paintings

'Which ever style we use it’s still the same Dreaming story' said Albert Namatjira. The first indigenous artist to paint with watercolour on paper was Albert Namatjira. Although he grasped the ‘European style’ of perspective, Namatjira depicted the Central Desert landscape as it had never been seen before. Six generations later, Peter Taylor Tjutatja remains one of a very few artist to paint in this tradition.

Albert Namatjira, an initiated Western Aranda stockman was tutored to paint with watercolour by Rex Batterbee while he was at the Hermannsburg Mission in the 1950’s.

Although Namatjira quickly grasped the notion of European perspective, his use of soft pastels, vibrant purple and blue hues depicted the Central Desert country as it had never been seen before.

At first glance Namatjira’s landscapes seem to be a vast departure from traditional art. His use of non traditional colours and his ‘sideways’ view rather than the traditional ‘aerial’ view in sand paintings appear more like a conventional European landscape.

But Namatjira remained true to his Aboriginal culture. His Aboriginal paintings were maps of his country revealing the origin of the geographic formations created by ancestral beings and incorporating hidden iconic symbols. Which ever style we use Namatjira once said it’s still the same Dreaming story.

Namatjira produced a vast number of works and his Ghost Gums at Glen Helen became an iconic image.

Central Art recognises the importance of the watercolour colour style to the Arrente people and is pleased to represent Peter Taylor Tjutatja's work as a continuation of this significant tradition.

Peter Taylor Tjutatja's passion and love of his country around the West MacDonnell Ranges – the same country that Namatjira painted – is evident in his paintings.

The iconic Rwetpypme (Mt Sonder) with its gorges, sand jutting quartzite ridges and valleys is the site of the Dancing Girl Mountain and a favourite with Taylor. Yapalpe (Glen Helen), a water hole where the Dancing girl emerged is the same site that Albert Namatjira painted.

But Peter's paintings are more than just a representation of the landscape. They give us a glimpse into the attachment and spiritual significance of this country to the indigenous people. They can also lead us into deeper appreciation of the astonishing beauty of the desert country.

Today now six decades later, Peter Taylor Tjutatja is one of a very few artists working in this style.

Click the following links to view our Watercolour Aboriginal Art Gallery at Central Art Aboriginal Art Store:

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