Beyond 'Primitive' Art: Understanding meaning and symbolism in Indigenous art

What it covers

Indigenous 'art' is a highly visible and recognisable symbol of peoples' engagement with their cultural identity, history and traditions. In this unit, students examine early and recent forms of Indigenous visual traditions (e.g. rock-art, bark paintings, sculpture) to learn about their role and significance in Indigenous societies. Topics to be discussed include art's relationship to landscapes and seascapes, issues of interpretation, and how art reflects interaction with the 'other'. The unit combines anthropological, archaeological, and Indigenous approaches to understanding the production, meaning and symbolism associated with various images and objects created through time.

Assessment

When and where

Not offered in 2027, or offerings not published yet.