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Contemporary Aboriginal Art (AHIS30005)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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Semester 2 - On Campus
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Starting with the acrylics of the Western Desert (Papunya) and ending with the most recent developments in new media, the field of contemporary Aboriginal art will be surveyed. Issues such as copyright and appropriation, the art market, women’s art practice, curating and collection policy are debated in this subject and key works in painting, sculpture, printmaking, and photography are studied and discussed.

By the end of semester students should have a familiarity with the main issues concerning the interpretation of Aboriginal art in Australia and have a broad knowledge of the pictorial practices of prominent contemporary Aboriginal artists. Guest lectures by artists, academics and industry professionals, as well as visits to art galleries and museums, are a feature of this subject.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the subject, students should be able to:

  • Identify significant works of contemporary Aboriginal painting, sculpture, printmaking, and photography and discuss their cultural and historical contexts.
  • Engage with key issues in the field of contemporary Aboriginal art, including copyright, appropriation, the art market, and emergence of women's art practice.
  • Critique curatorial practices and collection policies related to contemporary Aboriginal art in galleries and museums.
  • Demonstrate respect for Indigenous experience, including ways of knowing, being and doing, specifically in relation to works of art.
  • Synthesise insights from artists, community leaders, Elders, academics, and industry professionals to develop a nuanced understanding of contemporary Aboriginal art in Australia.

Generic skills

At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:

  • Be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays
  • Be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations
  • Be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;
  • Be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision
  • Be able to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.

Last updated: 15 January 2026