My Place, Sally Morgan’s best selling autobiography, was published in 1987. One of the things she spoke about was her grandmother’s fear of letting anyone know she was Aboriginal. The timing of this story is as interesting as the story itself, for the enquiry into the Stolen Generations did not begin until 1995.
[No, you can't really click to look inside from here... cropping the Amazon.com image is too complicated late at night.]
Sally is as famous for her art as for her writing, and she designed the covers of her two books. I can’t say her art appeals to me overmuch, but when I saw a print of this I had to buy it:
This painting is my ‘bible’, because it tells me all I need to know about the relationship between the mundane and the arcane, and because looking at it is my morning prayer. It’s called “New Day”.
Maybe Sally was dabbling or grappling with her newfound identity, when she painted it. Maybe it was because it reflected an “Anglo” sensibility that I felt I could understand it – it was a very long time before I discovered anything about the meaning of various traditional Aboriginal symbols.
Well, let’s face it, it was a very long time before I realised Aboriginal paintings would have meaning [how arrogant is that?].
My only excuse is that I grew up with this as an example of great Aboriginal art:
Realising that Albert Namatjira was possibly only appreciated because he painted Anglo style makes his story doubly tragic.
I love that painting. The colors and the title!
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I never thought to talk about it before, but I do know the photos from your visit to the Holter Museum [stunning] put the idea into my head. :)
DeleteI read the book at the time. It was quite moving. I kept the book and it is on the re-read list. I think Namatjira was a great artist, but not particularly in an Aboriginal manner. Our late friend Dame M told us that you need to be above and look down at aboriginal art to get the right perspective, especially dot paintings. Do you think that is correct, art expert as you are, but you obviously know more than I do.
ReplyDeleteNamatjira's colours were always impressive, and I remember when I first saw the red centre, it hit me that the colours weren't really fanciful.
DeleteThe only thing I really know about Aboriginal art is that the few pieces I have coveted cost more than my annual income. Not all of it speaks to me.
My left brain tells me that a piece mounted on a wall would have the same perspective as one on the ground when looking from above. But maybe that's what your friend meant - the whole piece needs to be viewed properly.
Given that so many paintings tell a story traditionally drawn in sand, that would probably provide a really good context.
I've seen Sally Morgan's art before but never thought about the artist. Personally, I love all of it as it has as you said, a mystical quality to it.
ReplyDeleteI know you're much more of an art-lover than I am, and I honestly can't say I have any idea what she has done in recent times. But yes, it's the mystical I find so appealing.
DeleteThanks for providing the links to the Aboriginal symbols. It's fascinating and helps me appreciate traditional Aboriginal art much more.
ReplyDeleteI think I've been one of those people who prefer the Anglo style stuff.
Dina, the explanation of the symbols represented a great break-through for me - something of a "duh" moment.
DeleteI probably need things that explain themselves, because I just don't have an arty brain. In fact, it's almost a case of Anglo is good... words are even better :)