Flora and fauna from Aussie deserts

Authentic aboriginal art on display

The integral beauty of the reptiles and other God's creatures in the Australian deserts are focused upon as if they had been etched upon by some master painter, The tiny flecks, the bold dots and dashes, the curls, twirls and cascading lines bring forth carefully composed creations on fabric and paper. The dots have symbols and the final effect is much more overwhelming than many post-modern creations that one finds in the capital cities the world over. The balance of lines and colours, in each painting has a pristine impact. Skill, know-how, imagination and mastery of paints and brushes are obvious.

These aborigine paintings are to be found in Paris, London, and other metropolises in the West. In them the medium of lines and dots have been undoubtedly been mastered. Lyricism and tranquillity are the byword of such art despite the bold lines and the buoyant colours like black, white, burn-umber, cobalt blue, vermilion and Prussian blue. This art is fairly different from the rest of Australian art, as seen in the Melbourne Museum of Fine Arts, which on the whole, displays works based on British art. The majority of the paintings there tend not to come up to the post-modern art period, as one recalls. Many an art enthusiast came away from the display totally rejuvenated by the treasure trove of the overwhelming paintings. The exhibit, Desert Voices, was unique in its conception and presentation.

Among the works was Rainbow snake dreaming by Welleavan. Here one saw a curling, twirling, gliding snake. It went from one end of the paper to the other, while on top was another such serpentine creature -- with its head turned to the right instead of the left. The details of the snakes' skins were scalloped on a reddish brown background. They were outlined with white and gray. The fangs, nose and the scales of the tails had been done with immaculate precision. In the centre was a twirling disc of a sun, along with pale blue lilies and morning-glory buds, and accompanying leaves and tendrils. Vertical bars of butterflies in gold, earthy colours, highlighted by black and white, completed this radiant dream of another world. Dramatic motifs of aboriginal existence had been neatly included in the painting. The result is poised and sophisticated, with the poetic vision.

Goanna coming to drink from a water hole, by M. Moke showed two reptiles done in burnt umber, dotted over with yellow. The desert creatures were balanced on either side and had designs of sea-shells, large silken larvae cocoons, utensils, boomerangs, and other weapons. These were minutely worked upon, as the rest of the superb paintings and every other art work on display.

This exhibition was inaugurated by Richard Rodgers, Charge D' affaires of the Australian High Commission. Mustafa Monwar was the chief guest; while Mahmudul Huq and Shamsuzzaman also graced the occasion.