Aboriginal Art
by Maxine Noel and Caitlin Noel-Drews
Since time out of mind, humans have used artistic expression to convey the deepest truths about their societal organization and cultural traditions. The ancient art of Native Canadians transcends the conformity of most artistic styles, relying on traditional forms to communicate their unique culture and heritage. By exploring the inspiration behind the art, and the purpose that it serves in the Aboriginal community, a greater understanding of the style can be achieved.
The intricate and diverse purposes behind Native artwork go beyond mere aesthetic value, driven by social, cultural and political issues in the Aboriginal community. Perhaps the most important function of Native art is its ability to transcend language barriers, to communicate with others regardless of dialect, and to strengthen tribal relationships. This ability fostered social and political alliances with other tribes and helped Aboriginals to unite with one another through their artwork. Native culture is also rich with ancient legends and stories that are considered extremely valuable, and art was a way for each tribe to illustrate its own unique tales. Every piece of artwork has a hidden or innate meaning that was passed down through generations and filtered through creative venues in order to protect it and make it more easily understandable. Spirituality is a dominant theme in Native artwork as well, with many artists inspired by the spiritual beliefs of their ancestors. These inherent values are expressed through art, providing unique variations on traditional, written religious doctrine. After the introduction of European culture into Native society, art became a way to understand changes in the people and their traditional way of life. Art became therapeutic, helping Aboriginals cope with newly created societal problems, including loss of their unique culture and language. As Canada gradually was transformed into an organized and democratic country, the Native community was forced to change as well, oftentimes struggling to exist in a society that they did not understand. Modern Aboriginal artists convey these tragic hardships, attempting to deal with their own problems, as well as the adversity experienced by their ancestors.