Aboriginal X-Ray Paintings

Platypus by Isaac, Grade 2

Koala by Noah, Grade 2

Goana by Karla, Grade 2

Platypus by Ivana, Grade 2

Emu by Ella, Grade 1

Aboriginal x-ray art is a traditional style used by the people of Australia to depict local animals and stories. Many of the animals are painted showing their bones and organs, that is, painted in x-ray.  X-ray art has been painted by Aboriginal people for countless generations. The origins of this ancient Australian art are in the Aboriginal rock art which was painted by the very first people in this country thousands of years ago. 

The first and second graders have had fun making their own versions of these paintings.  They got to learn about Australian animals like emu, koalas, kangaroos and the platypus.  They practiced using lines and shapes to draw these animals.  When they had a good outline, they drew organs and bones inside the animal.  Finally, they used paint to create dot paintings and Aboriginal symbols around their animals.  These symbols were learned in the previous project.