Many people feel that the use of colourful acrylic paints by Aboriginal artists makes the works less authentic. This stunning work by Jeannie Petyarre has an amazing energy, but still maintains the vital elements of her Dreaming.
In the Desert works are colourful. When the missionaries first came to the area they introduced the artists to many different colours and mediums to produce work. They were given bright colourful clothes to wear.
Many of these colours were new to them and, to put it simply, give an artist colour and they will use it.
Whilst the painting styles and colours have changed the message is still the same as it was over 40,000 years ago. Many of the artists, like Jeannie, have become major artists on the world stage, their styles have evolved from painting very static work to works of art that can sit side-by-side with some of the greatest artists of all time.
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