Aboriginal Motifs

Functions and Philosophies

Respect .... The rights of indigenous people to own and control their heritage should be respected. The way you show respect to them vary widely across the many and diverse communities of indigenous Australian people. There are some protocols that can be used though:
 • Acknowledgement of country
Indigenous Australians, the Aboriginal and the Torres Strait islander people are the original inhabitants of Australia. A country is not just a place or a big island for them. They talk about country like they talk about a person. it has feelings and life. They don't treat them as a thing or object. They treat them as living entity that has yesterday, today and tomorrow. When organising an exhibition, installation or event of local, state or national significance, it is respectful to invite a representative of the traditional owners to attend and give a 'welcome to country' address.
• Acknowledging land.
It is common for Indigenous artists to seek approval from the indigenous community for public art-based projects in any particular 'country' within Australia.
• Accepting diversity.
Indigenous cultures are living and evolving entities, not simply historical phenomena. Avoid inappropriate or outdated perspectives and terminology when dealing with any cultural groups.




Indigenous control .... Indigenous communities, whether regional, urban or remote have an infrastructure of organisations and individuals who can advise on a guidance about locating indigenous people with authority to speak for specific indigenous cultural material.




Moral Rights and Issues


There are some things need to be done if a designer wants to reference Aboriginal motifs or reproduce some artworks:
• attribute the artist – Artists can require their names be clearly and prominently reproduced alongside all reproduction of their works.
• don't falsely attribute another artist.
• don't do anything that can be a result of distortion, destruction or material alteration of the artwork or the motifs.
• don't reproduce artworks or use the Aboriginal motifs in poor quality.

There must also be some acknowledgement from certain indigenous community about the work itself.


source: http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/32368/Visual_arts_protocol_guide.pdf