Aboriginal Dot Art

Aboriginal Dot Art

Aborigines were the first group of people to live in Australia. They traveled across Australia stopping in areas that had food, water and other things they needed to survive. Then people came from Europe wanting to live in Australia and they started to take over all of the land. Defenseless and unable to fight against others taking over the land, many of the aborigines died. Today there is still a small section in Australia where the Aborigines live. It is a wilderness area without buildings and cities much like they traveled many years ago. 

Aboriginal Dot Art became widespread in 1970 possibly starting from the group of painters of Papunya Tula. They were likely taught by a Western art teacher named Geoffrey Bardon and the aborigines used dot paintings as a way to tell a story and record activities. Aborigines painted things they knew starting with SHAPES and adding dotted lines. Some designs were for beauty and some had special or secret messages and meanings. Their designs often use a combination of dots, circles, semi circles and diagonal lines.

Today the art of dot painting is greatly valued by all Australians and also tourists. A tourist is a person who visits another place for a vacation. Aborigines are encouraged to make and sell their work. Some of the pieces earn a lot of money. Aborigines make a living selling their art while sharing their stories both told and those in secret. 

Today you are going to create your own Aboriginal dot art using your hand as the SHAPE!

Project Description:

Step 1: Trace your hand on colored paper and cut out. Next, glue the hand on black paper.  

Step 2: With the paper plate of paint and Qtips, use warm colors (red, yellow, orange, and white) to "Dot" across your hand in a pattern ... Think of it like "taking the Qtip or Dots on a walk around the shape". Then, finish your design by placing dots in circles or diagonal line designs. 

Supplies List (Paint) - 

• Colored Paper for hand trace and Black Paper (9x12), 

• Name labels, 

• Paint (red, yellow, orange, white) 

• Paper plates, Qtips

• Dry racks

• Parent Helpers Note:  When students say they are finished well before the class session is finished, encourage kids to fill in with dots as much as they can. Make sure name labels are placed on the back side of paper and put on the dry racks.