Many Aboriginal people now earn their living painting.  It is a way, not only to support their families, but also to teach non Aboriginal people about their lifestyle and history.

Many of the elders believe that it is essential that their stories are told to preserve their heritage.  Because of all the many changes to the traditional way of life it is important to teach all people about Aboriginal ways, otherwise the elders fear that their culture will die out and only be viewed in the ethnographic museums and not be a part of life today.

Aboriginal artwork is the key to their lifestyle, history and culture.  It’s not only the works that depict the historical Dreaming or law that has been passed down for thousands of years that fascinates, but also what is new and is being created today that show a path of interesting and positive development.

Aboriginal art has increasingly become the defining image used to identify Australia worldwide.

At major events Australian Aboriginal themes are used to represent the emotion of this country, Aboriginal symbols have become major icons.  At the 2000 Sydney Olympics there was a strong Aboriginal presence  in dance and in spiritual form with the Wandjina (the creator spirit of the Kimberley) who rose out of the ground proclaiming to all that he is very much alive today. 

A  Qantas airplanes is painted quite distinctively with Aboriginal art. 

Many corporate offices have Aboriginal artwork on their walls.  Major auction houses, now recognising the popularity of Aboriginal art with collectors, hold auctions specialising in “top of the market” Aboriginal paintings.