June 21, 2007
Ancient and Modern. A stark duality. And a deeply seated one.
Rover Thomas, Grugrugi Owl, 1984 natural earth pigments with bush gum binder on board
The former--Ancient--often has a focus on senior Aboriginal men (Paddy Roe, Boxer, Albert Namatjira, Rover thomas ) and often works with a notion of an Aboriginal 'alternative modernity' is essentially a nostalgic one. It pitches an Aboriginal Geimenschaft against the alienating Gessellschaft of modern Australia.
Many distinguish Aborigines from what we call modernity's 'commodity production and novelty'. We tacitly understand indigenous people in terms of Ferdinand Tonnies' end-of-the-nineteenth century notion of the Volk's community, with its connotations of unmediated exchange, authenticity, organically inherited traditions and rituals, 'the network of kin relationships' and obligatory rural settings.
Rover Thonas , Image: Crossroads 1997, Etching , from the Cross Roads portfolio
The idea of a crossroad is a favorite subject for Thomas.Many traditional aboriginal songs and stories deal with journeys and meetings by all kinds of beings in many different circumstances.The artist's fascination with modern day travel and meeting points is reflected in his work.
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