The compositional lines of the sky, trees and land reflect the structure of Australia's native landscape, commonly suggested as a “more accurate depiction of the Australian trees and scrubland” (Cawood Cottage, 2013) which traditionally belonged to the Braylwunyer people of the Big River nation.
Evidently, Glover creates a salience focusing on the Aboriginal people by the river conducting daily activities including singing, dancing, fishing and hunting.
Through the cool naturalistic colours and soothing texture of the landscape, we immediately feel included within the proceedings. The trees, sky and lake are all richly detailed as the organic shaping creates a smooth flowing movement of the natural world. Ultimately, in his later years of painting Glover not only concentrated on landscape formulation but evidently demonstrated greater passion for the elements within his paintings, “...it turned him from a purely landscape painter to a painter of the figure in the landscape” (Betty Churcher, 2008). The large scaling of the image is further perceived by the distant mountains sloping across the horizon corresponding to the movement of the clear white clouds, ultimately establishing a serene yet powerful landscape demonstrating the earthy colour and smooth texture of the …show more content…
atmosphere.
Through focal positioning of the trees entwined with the richly toned branches expresses the concept of the Aboriginal connection with the land, as notions of naturalisation and responsibility are fundamentally viewed through the vivid colouring. Similar paintings (Fig 3) further reiterates Glovers perception of the natural world as realistic detail and colouring not only describes visual reality but ultimately perceives the persona's felt, sensed truth.
Furthermore, the campfire accentuates how the Aboriginal people lived off the land as Glover was "eager to portray them in the idyllic world he imagined they had once enjoyed." (Betty Churcher, 2008) This 'idyllic' world is conveyed through no constructional buildings and ultimately the use of traditional methods of living.
Exclusion of European settlers throughout his works was intentionally depicted as Glovers perception on indigenous land ownership was strongly regarded.
During the time of the 1800's, Aboriginal people faced hardship as dispossession of the land and connection with their kinship spirituality was suddenly stripped away. Historical Australian landscape was focused in his works as his wished to capture the traditional way of living before it was destroyed. Due to realistic detailing and smooth texture, vector lines are quite vivid allowing the audience to gracefully reflect the entire illustration and observe the ideal perception of the Australian outback during this time
period.
Through utilising different shades of green and blue, Glover establishes a personal perception of the great beauty in which the Australian outback attains.
A contemporary audience may observe this image as quite a realistic and serene image recognised through the use of cool colours and smooth texture. Evidently, Glovers devotion to illustrating Australian landscape seems to cause emotional symbolism of both Aboriginal dispossession and destruction of the natural world which evolves through the painting.
This artwork contains vivid imagery and precise detail, hence suitable for stages 2 and 3. As students learn about aboriginal dispossession and the stolen generations, emotional perspective can be attained allowing viewers to assess the impacts of European ignorance. Students in stage 3 are able to detect aboriginal culture within the image displayed through firemaking, hunting, fishing and dancing allowing them to recognize these traditional living methods and ultimately deepen their overall understanding on Aboriginal lifestyle. The serene environment is highlighted through the smooth texture and naturalistic colouring enabling stage 2 students to examine the image and evaluate why the artist implemented these artistic techniques and what he is attempting to portray.
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