Europe was the frontier for Modernism in the art world, with the movement emerging mid nineteenth century from artists like 19th century painter Gustave Courbet . Modernism began during the Industrial Revolution, a period of rapid change in technology which profoundly affected social, economic and cultural life in Europe.
Impressionism was most prominent around this time. Impressionism in Europe often depicted the beautiful architecture and used plain air, observing outdoor life and capturing the atmosphere of the time they were painting.
Impressionism was introduced to Australia by many artists including Nora Simpsons, an artist arriving from Europe to Sydney. In 1913, she bought copies of French …show more content…
European art culture was considered richer than Australia. Due to the ability to connect with different countries’ art styles more easily due to their vicinity. This sharing of culture and ideas helped Europe to be the frontier for Modernism in not only art but architecture , music and philosophy. However, Modernism was popular in Australia, with artists like Grace Crossington Smith creating works depicting daily Australian life and feature a flattened background ???? …show more content…
He bridged the gap between Western style art and Aboriginal art. Namatjira travelled around Australia with white artist Rex Battarbee, showing him his country in exchange for learning how to paint. Namatjira was one of the first Indigenous Australian to gain citizenship in 1957 and he helped to start to dissolve negative views towards Aboriginal people. Namatjira is considered to be a large contributor to Aborginal people gaining the right for citizenship ten years later.
“He [Namatjira] was definitely the beginning of a recognition of Aboriginal people by white Australia.” Charles Perkins, 20th century Aboriginal Activist
Namatjira’s Impressionist works captured the bold colours of the landscape he was raised in, many of his works depicting the Finke River that runs through his tribal land. His watercolour landscapes were European looking, but he always painted with ‘country in mind.’The repetition and detailed patterns he used in his works blended Aboriginal and European styles of