From the historical perspective, culture has defined Australia and Oceania. Oceania is a group of many islands in Central and Southern Pacific Ocean. Australia, which is one of the smallest islands here, is rich in culture and has a lot to do with understanding of art and culture. With Australia being the main nation dominating Oceania, an exploration of the unique Australian cultures more interesting.
Art and culture of Australia and Oceania is creatively built around the traditional setup of the indigenous people of these societies. The Australian indigenous inhabitants were settlers of the first wave of people in the area. The arts of these indigenous people were mainly inclined to religion. Making of masks was one of the arts that they appreciated and kept.
They also practiced painting, wood carving, tattooing, stone carving and petroglyphs among others. The society’s arts were mainly passed from one generation to the other and their main theme of creating arts was to praise the supernatural. They described their culture as united and hence the name Aboriginal Australian-which included almost all native cultures in Australia in one unified culture.
The Aboriginal Australian culture had a belief and strong spiritual attachments to the environment. It is interesting that the indigenous cultures had only one part to create in their arts-masks. These are even available today in these places as preserved cultural practice.
European colonization disrupted the formation and much practiced cultures of this society. Their paintings and carvings were not respected by the colonizers as they did. They were also forced into several and uneasy cultural forms that diverted their former unified state. Even with this, art and culture in Australia and Oceania were still preserved (but not as original as before).
The contemporary culture had introduced several ways that differed with their original settings. The arts of Australia were never erased by colonizers. Rock art, which is the traditional art known in Australia, remained to unite the Aborigines. They could still practice rock art and hold to their cultural practices like sports. Rugby is one of the most enticing sports that Australia and New Zealand is known for.
Theatre, dance and music are other arts that Australia and Oceania have immensely developed. Classical musicians and performers have since history translated the historical set-up of Australia to the present day. With valued culture in music, the Aborigines kept a unique style of music that is still copied in the contemporary styles.
Their music was respected, especially because it was a way to send messages and praise their unique culture and belief in the supernatural. Their religion was really important. Theatre and film have also shown great developments from simple and local performances to world-class and recognized art.