Indigenous Art

WESTERN CAPE
Bettina Rosser (2012).



Bettina Rosser is from Yarrabah and now resides in Weipa where she's a project manager with DATSIMA. Bettina was commissioned by the 2012 NAIDOC committee to create this piece for the annual celebration week.

 

 

'Western Cape'  measures 35 cm x 30 cm and is an example of the movement, Indigenous Art. Opinions vary as to whether Indigenous Art is a movement per se and as such I'm relating this piece to the abstract impressionism movement, amongst other features, for its brushwork and texture. The use of two active primary colours red and yellow on the background creates a sense of movement and the addition of an indigenous characteristic ochre serves to create the fireball effect of the sun of which the background and dot painting represents.The use of complementary colours in the dark blue of the fauna increases the value or tone of the work.

 

The sea eagle is the fauna symbol of the Maranuch Algnith traditional owners of Weipa and surrounds. The sand plover represents the nearby community of Napranum whilst the turtle represents Mapoon. The sand shark represents Arukun community. The use of the symbolism conveys the representation of all peoples of the western cape region united in a week of celebration of the indigenous culture under the vibrant sun in Weipa.