Analysis Of Five Stories By Michael Nelson Tjakamarra

‘Five Stories’ composed by Michael Nelson Tjakamarra (Jagamara), is an acrylic on canvas painting. Measuring to 122 x 182 cm, created in 1984. The art piece is considered an aboriginal Dreamtime painting, telling us a story. Aboriginal symbolism is present throughout the painting with design elements encompassing line, shape, and colour. Tjakamarra was born in 1949 at Pikilyi, Vaughan Springs west of Yuendumu, and is an Indigenous Australian painter. Teaching himself how to paint by observing his elders, beginning to paint earnestly from 1983. With many of his works touring the world, winning awards as well as had having the achievement of him previously being asked to paint an art piece to decorate the foyer of the Sydney opera house It is no wonder he is considered to be one of the most famous and prolific painters in Australia. A biography was published due to his recognition, called, ‘Michael Jagamara Nelson written by

The circles together with the radiating wavy lines embodies the Possum Dreaming. The snake is also symbolized as the Rainbow Serpent dreaming. The tracks in the lower right-hand corner are those of the Two Kangaroo ancestors with the lower right-hand side circles representing a rain Dreaming site (Western desert painting, c2000). With all of these symbolize represent dreamtime stories it is important to recognize that Dreamtime stories are an important part of the indigenous culture as it is their history that has been passed on and will continue to be passed on for generations to come. It is a visual expression of these beliefs and a way to preserve their culture, beliefs, and history. ‘Five Stories’ is meant to symbolize an aerial view of Tjakamarra traditional home country located in the Western Desert 70 km north-west of Alice Springs (Visual literacy,