About the artists

Possom Tjapaltjarri and Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri

• Who is the artist?

  Possom Tjapaltjarri and Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri are Indigenous Australian artists known for their contributions to contemporary Aboriginal art.

• What is their cultural background?

  They come from the Pintupi people of the Western Desert region of Australia.

• What are their main intentions in their work?

  Their work often aims to convey Dreamtime stories, preserve cultural heritage, and connect with their ancestral land.

• How did they make their work? (techniques)

  They typically use acrylic paints on canvas, employing dot painting and traditional motifs to illustrate their narratives.

Diego Rivera

• Who is the artist?

  Diego Rivera was a prominent Mexican muralist known for his grand frescoes that depicted Mexican society and history.

• What is their cultural background?

  He was a champion of the Mexican Revolution and incorporated indigenous elements into his work.

• What are their main intentions in their work?

  Rivera sought to promote social justice and depict the struggles of the Mexican working class through art.

• How did they make their work? (techniques)

  He used fresco painting techniques, applying pigment to wet plaster, which allowed for vibrant colors and durability.

Hokusai

• Who is the artist?

  Katsushika Hokusai was a Japanese ukiyo-e painter and printmaker, famous for his woodblock prints.

  Ukiyo-e wood print artist

• What is their cultural background?

  He was influenced by traditional Japanese art, as well as Western techniques after Japan opened to the west.

• What are their main intentions in their work?

  Hokusai aimed to capture the beauty of nature, everyday life, and the impermanence of life.

• How did they make their work? (techniques)

  He utilized the ukiyo-e technique, featuring woodblocks and intricate color layering in his prints.

Frida Kahlo

• Who is the artist?

  Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter known for her deeply personal and symbolic self-portraits.

• What is their cultural background?

  She was of mixed European and indigenous ancestry and often drew on her heritage in her themes.

• What are their main intentions in their work?

  Kahlo sought to explore identity, postcolonialism, gender, and pain through her art.

• How did they make their work? (techniques)

  She used oil paints on canvas, often incorporating Mexican folk art styles and symbolism.

About the artworks

Warlugulong

• What are the main features of the artwork in general?

  It features vibrant colors and intricate patterns representing natural elements and Dreamtime stories.

• What is the main subject matter of the artist’s work?

  The artwork often focuses on the spiritual connection to land and cultural heritage.

• What structural properties are emphasised in the work?

  • Colour: The use of color in the work is incredibly expressive, with bold, bright hues that convey a range of emotions and symbolize different aspects of nature and spirituality. Specific colors may represent particular Dreamtime stories or elements of the land.

  • Line: Lines are utilized to depict various elements of the landscape, and they might suggest movement or draw the viewer's eye to focal points. Swirling or undulating lines may evoke natural forms like rivers or wind.

  • Space: The composition often strategically uses space to create depth, allowing for a layered effect that can symbolize the connection between the spiritual and physical worlds. It enhances the narrative quality of the piece.

  • Texture: Texture is achieved through the use of dot painting techniques, which adds a tactile quality to the surface. The varying sizes of dots create visual interest and depth, reflecting the complexity of the subject matter.

  • Scale: Scale is manipulated to emphasize the significance of elements within the artwork. Larger motifs might represent essential cultural stories, while smaller details enhance the overall narrative.

  • Form: Forms are often stylized and abstract, reflecting cultural motifs and symbols. They communicate deeper meanings related to spirituality and connection to the land, moving beyond mere representation.

The Making of a Fresco Showing the Building of a City

• What are the main features of the artwork in general?

  This mural showcases life in the city and includes historical and social elements.

• What is the main subject matter of the artist’s work?

  The work illustrates the progress of civilization and the role of the community in shaping history.

• What structural properties are emphasised in the work?

  • Colour: The mural employs a rich color palette to bring vibrancy and life to the scenes depicted. Bright colors draw attention to key figures and elements, symbolizing vitality and the human spirit.

  • Line: Bold, dynamic lines create a sense of movement and action, leading the viewer's eye through the mural. These lines may also define the contours of figures and architectural elements, adding clarity.

  • Space: Space is effectively utilized to create an immersive experience. The arrangement of figures and buildings establishes a narrative flow, inviting viewers to explore different layers of the scene.

  • Texture: The texture of the fresco is smooth yet nuanced, with brushed effects that suggest the materials of buildings and the varied experiences of city life, creating depth and interest.

  • Scale: Scale is significant in this mural, with larger figures representing important characters or themes, while smaller details provide context and richness to the storytelling.

  • Form: Forms in the mural emphasize human labor, cooperation, and the construction of community, often depicted in stylized yet relatable representations of people and structures.

The Great Wave off Kanaga

• What are the main features of the artwork in general?

  This famous woodblock print features a colossal wave threatening boats, with Mount Fuji in the background.

• What is the main subject matter of the artist’s work?

  It highlights the power of nature versus human vulnerability.

• What structural properties are emphasised in the work?

  • Colour: The color palette is characterized by the use of blues and whites to portray the wave's fury, contrasted against the calm, muted tones of Mount Fuji, emphasizing tension in the composition.

  • Line: Sharp, sweeping lines create a sense of motion and drama, showcasing the wave's dynamic force. The lines guide the viewer's eye through the image and highlight the contrast between nature and humanity.

  • Space: The clever use of space creates a sense of depth, with the large wave looming in the foreground residing against the distant, serene Mount Fuji, establishing a powerful visual relationship between elements.

  • Texture: Textures in the print are intricate, with delicate lines creating the foamy crest of the wave, while the smooth areas evoke the solidity of the mountain—contrasting yet harmonious.

  • Scale: The massive scale of the wave in relation to the boats accentuates human vulnerability, suggesting the awe and fear invoked by nature’s might.

  • Form: The forms within the print are stylized, offering both a sense of realism and abstraction, reflecting the artist’s vision of the interaction between people and nature.

About the world

Warlugulong

• What is the cultural background to the artist and their work?

  The work is steeped in Indigenous Australian culture, specifically the Pintupi people’s traditions and stories.

• What events or ideas from around the artist have influenced the artwork?Historical events like colonization and its impacts on Indigenous culture have heavily influenced their work.

• What social, community, historical or cultural issues been represented in the artwork?

  Issues of land rights, cultural preservation, and the connection between people and their environment are common themes.

• How has the artist been influenced by their understanding of the world?

  Their experiences and the effects of colonization have shaped how they communicate their cultural narratives.

The Making of a Fresco Showing the Building of a City

• What is the cultural background to the artist and their work?

  Reflects Mexican cultural identity, incorporating elements of nationalism and social values.

• What events or ideas from around the artist have influenced the artwork?

  The Mexican Revolution and the need for social reform influenced Rivera's themes.

• What social, community, historical or cultural issues been represented in the artwork?

  The dignity of labor and the importance of the working class in society are central issues represented.

• How has the artist been influenced by their understanding of the world?Rivera's advocacy for social justice is shaped by his observations of inequality and his commitment to the Mexican people.

The Great Wave off Kanaga

• What is the cultural background to the artist and their work?

  Rooted in Japanese art traditions, emphasizing spirituality and nature.

• What events or ideas from around the artist have influenced the artwork?

  The Meiji Restoration and Japan's opening to Western influences impacted Hokusai's vision.

• What social, community, historical or cultural issues been represented in the artwork?

  The coexistence of humanity and nature, and the risks posed by nature, are critical themes.

• How has the artist been influenced by their understanding of the world?

  His work reflects a deep appreciation for the natural world and the fleeting nature of life.

About the audience

Warlugulong

• How does the viewer experience the work?

  Viewers are invited into a dreamlike landscape that resonates with cultural stories and elements.

• What does the work make the viewer feel or think?

  It provokes thoughts on connection to land, cultural identity, and the importance of heritage.

The Making of a Fresco Showing the Building of a City

• How does the viewer experience the work?

  The mural's large scale creates a sense of immersion, pulling viewers into the depicted world.

• What does the work make the viewer feel or think?

  It evokes pride in communal identity and reflects on the contributions of workers to society's progress.

The Great Wave off Kanaga

• How does the viewer experience the work?

  The dramatic tension in the artwork captures viewers’ attention, engaging them with the force of nature.

• What does the work make the viewer feel or think?

  It evokes awe for nature's beauty and power while also prompting reflection on