Aboriginal people paint the Dreaming of their ancestors that has been handed down to them from generation to generation. They are not the owners of the Dreaming, but the caretakers, and as such are not able to sign the front of the work as that would denote ownership.

The Aboriginal artists that paint their Dreaming will only be able to paint the Dreamings that they are responsible for, that they have earnt the right to paint.  Therefore, the same artist will paint the same Dreaming many times over, sometimes very similar in design. It is interesting to note with many of the artists how their styles do tend to change over a period of years.


Aboriginal artists haven’t attended art school, they have learnt their painting techniques from their elders.  While often some of the more modern looking works have been compared to those done by European painters, Aboriginal people have developed and evolved their own styles in their own way.  The changes that have come about have been influenced by the changes in their societies, the demand for their works and the materials that have been provided for them.  Many have developed into brilliant painters because of their own talent and a desire to excel.