107-030 Contemporary Aboriginal Art

Bachelor of Creative Arts students may credit this subject to a Media Arts and Visual Media major at second or third year.

Usually 12.5 points of first-year art history.

This subject provides an introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and the politics of representation. Starting with rock and bark art of the Kimberley and Arnhem Land areas, through to the influence of Namatjira's watercolours and the acrylics of the Western Desert (Papunya) art movement, the field of Aboriginal art will be surveyed. Issues such as copyright and appropriation, the art market, women's art practice, curating and museums policy are debated in this subject; and recent developments in painting, 'urban art', photography, and film are also touched upon. By the end of semester students should have a familiarity with problems in the interpretation of Aboriginal art and culture in Australia and have a broad knowledge of pictorial practices of contemporary Aboriginal arts. Guest lectures by prominent Indigenous artists, academics and industry professionals, as well as visits to art galleries and museums are a special feature of this subject.

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;

• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;

• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision;

• be able to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.

A research essay (including seminar presentation) of 2500 words 60% (due during the semester) and a take-home examination of 1500 words 40% (during the examination period). It is a hurdle requirement of this subject that students attend 75% of tutorials in order to receive an assessment for this subject.

A subject reader will be available