From rainbow snakes to 'X-Ray' fish : the nature of the recent rock painting tradition of Western Arnhem Land, Australia

Abstract

Painting on rock shelter walls has occurred in Western Arnhem Land for thousands of years and continued frequently until just over twenty years ago when the last major rock artist of the region passed away. Many of the most recent paintings were produced within the lifetime of Aboriginal elders living in the area today. Not only are the circumstances under Which some paintings we produced remembered but also myths and stories associated with these and older paintings are recalled. Much can be learned about the meaning, importance and production of rock art from these Aboriginal people and this is one of the few areas in the world where such information is still available. In this study the most recent forms of rock painting are examined from both an archaeological and ethnographic perspective. In particular, paintings with internal or 'x-ray' features are scrutinized as it is these that are most visually striking for Europeans and hold the most meaning for contemporary Aborigines. It is argued that they are part of a much larger artistic tradition and that they developed in situ. Most, however, were produced in recent, freshwater times and changes through time are documented. Regional variants are also isolated and changes in the art are compared and contrasted with changes in the archaeological and environmental records of the region. Paintings of fish were found to be most frequent and important and their relationship to metaphysical beliefs is discussed. Various species are identified and the artistic conventions used to distinguish them are explained. The importance of the Rainbow Snake and depictions of this Being is reviewed and it is argued that paintings in rock shelters played a fundamental role in the expression and affirmation of the traditional belief system. Some forms of painting had other functions as well, such as providing a 'historic' record of past events, and these are outlined. It is concluded that many paintings could be used for more than one purpose and that many levels of meaning could be encoded into some forms, especially those with internal detail. It is also concluded that it was important to distinguish species in the art as this allowed people to use the paintings to illustrate ideas, experiences or myths more effectively when story telling For the more traditional Aboriginal people of Western Arnhem Land art is not only an expression of their belief but also is an expression of life. Art is a part of life and need not be distinguished from it. The paintings reveal complex notions about the nature of Aboriginal existence, experience and metaphysics as well as the economic and religious importance of various animals within it. By studying the art and examining how it is interrelated with myth, ritual and belief a more thorough understanding of abstract concepts such as the 'Dreaming' and 'Rainbowness' is attained. Furthermore, the importance of expressing Ancestral, 'Rainbow' power visually becomes apparent as it is this that adds life to creatures and potency to paintings .