Mandala & Geometry
A mandala, which is Sanskrit for “circle” or “discoid object,” is a geometric design that holds a great deal of symbolism in Hindu and Buddhist cultures.
A mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Asian cultures. It can be understood in two different ways: externally as a visual representation of the universe or internally as a guide for several practices that take place in many Asian traditions, including meditation. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the belief is that by entering the mandala and proceeding towards its center, you are guided through the cosmic process of transforming the universe from one of suffering into one of joy and happiness.
Aboriginal Dot painting
Aboriginal dot painting is a well recognised style used by Australian Aboriginal artists. Emerging in the 1970s, it has become a medium for telling stories and enlivening culture.
Aboriginal peoples have used dots in art and other forms of expression for a very long time. Dots can be seen in symbolic patterns carved on artefacts and ancient rock galleries. They were used in sand paintings and in body painting for ceremonies.
The original use of the dot painting style may have been to create a ‘shimmer’ effect on a body design or in the decoration of an artefact. The dots might suggest an energy field or powerful aura around the design.
In more recent times, the distinctive dot painting style of Aboriginal artists emerged in the early 1970s from Papunya Tula artists. Dot painting styles are often seen in art works from the Central and Western Desert regions in Australia.