Chromatic Healing: The Power of Colour in Aboriginal Art for Improving Wellbeing

Understanding the Wellbeing Benefits Woven into Vibrant Canvases:

For thousands of years, mobs across the world have harnessed colour’s energy for healing. Modern science is only just catching up to what many First Nations cultures, especially here in Australia, have always known: colour isn’t just pretty, it’s powerful medicine. At Art by Farquhar, we see daily how Aboriginal artists channel this ancient chromatic wisdom into stunning visual stories that resonate deeply with Aussie spirit and landscape.

The Science and Spirit of Colour Therapy

Colour therapy (chromotherapy) uses specific hues to balance energy, influence mood, and promote healing. Research suggests:

• Blue & Green: Calm the nervous system, lower stress (perfect for easing that after-work tension)

• Yellow & Orange: Boost mood and focus (great for the home office or study)

• Red: Increases energy and circulation (use thoughtfully)

• Purple: Encourages deep reflection and spiritual connection

While Western science explores the 'how', Aboriginal artists have embodied this wisdom for millennia – using ochres and pigments straight from Country to carry story, culture, and healing energy.

Artists as Chromatic Healers: Farquhar’s Visionaries

 Julieanne Turner Nungurrayi

Julieanne’s iconic Budgerigar Dreaming and Bush Tucker works are explosions of pure joy, often featuring every colour of the rainbow. Her vibrant yellows (a known mood-lifter) and layered rainbow palettes create dynamic energy. As Julieanne says: "All those colours, they make me happy inside." This isn't just decoration; it’s chromotherapy in action – stimulating the mind and lifting spirits. The intricate dot work adds rhythm, creating a visual hum that settles busy thoughts.

Explore her collection: Julieanne Turner Nungurrayi

 Bernadine Johnson

Bernadine is a true master of complex, multicolour storytelling. Her works, like Bush Flowers or Bush Medicine Leaves, weave intricate narratives using a breathtaking spectrum of hues. Like Julieanne, she doesn’t shy away from the full rainbow, creating canvases that buzz with life and positive energy. In colour therapy, this vibrant interplay stimulates multiple senses, promotes creativity, and embodies the interconnectedness celebrated in Aboriginal culture. Bernadine’s art is pure visual vitality, bringing the energy and diversity of Country right into your home.

Discover her vibrant world: Bernadine Johnson

 Debra Nangala McDonald

Debra’s powerful red oxide primed canvases connect you straight to the heart of her Country – the iron-rich soils of the Western Desert. Red, in colour therapy, is the colour of vitality and grounding energy. Her Women's Body Paint and Mulga Trees series contrasts this deep warmth with shimmering cool brush strokes, embodying the essential principle of balance – vital for wellbeing. Her multi-layered works bring a sense of strong, calm energy to a room.

Explore explosions of colour: Debra Nangala McDonald

 Janice Stanley

Janice’s mesmerising Pantu (salt lakes) paintings capture the subtle, shifting blues, greens, and creams of these sacred waterways. These cool, mineral tones are deeply calming, aligning perfectly with water's healing properties in colour therapy – easing anxiety and promoting restful sleep. Her works carry the ancient Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) of the Seven Sisters, adding layers of cultural healing to the visual serenity.

See the beauty of Central Australia's salt lakes: Janice Stanley

Bringing Chromatic Healing into Your Home

Practical ways to use colour therapy inspired by these artists:

• Living Rooms/Studies: Hang Julieanne, Janice or Bernadine’s vibrant multicolour works to boost energy, spark conversation, and lift spirits – perfect for that arvo slump.

• Bedrooms: Choose Janice’s tranquil blues or softer palettes to unwind and prepare for a proper night's kip.

• Entryways/Halls: Debra’s strong red earth works ground the space and welcome you with resilient energy.

• Meditation/Yoga Spaces: Any of these artists' works connect to deep cultural stories, enhancing mindfulness. Layer Janice’s calm blues or softer multicolour pieces.

The Deeper Healing: Culture as Country Medicine

Beyond the immediate impact of colour, Aboriginal art heals because:

• It Carries Story (Dreaming / Tjukurrpa): Each piece connects you to ancient Creation narratives and incredible resilience.

• It Is Country: The pigments (ochres, minerals) are inspired from sacred lands, carrying unique energy.

• The Technique: The mindful repetition of dot work can slow your breathing and quiet the mind, much like meditation.

As many Australians intuitively feel, connecting to this land and its stories is healing. This art offers that connection.

Experience the Art of Wellbeing

At Art by Farquhar, we’re proud to champion artists who are also natural healers:

• Julieanne & Bernadine’s Rainbow Energy: Pure joy and vitality for any space needing a lift.

• Debra’s Earth Strength: Grounding and resilience from the heart of the desert.

• Janice’s Water Calm: Serenity and reflection for busy minds.

"Staring at Julieanne's vibrant 'Budgerigar Dreaming' when I'm feeling flat is better than a double shot latte! The colours just pull you in and wake you up!" - Alana, Adelaide Collector.

Colour Therapy Guide | Aussie Aboriginal Art Connection

Conclusion: True Blue Healing on Your Walls

Aboriginal art does more than beautify your home – it transforms it into a space charged with the energy, stories, and healing power of Country. These artists aren't just painters; they're keepers of ancient wisdom and natural chromatherapists. Their canvases are portals to landscapes that nourish the spirit.

Ready to bring this powerful colour medicine into your life?
Explore the vibrant collections of Julieanne, Bernadine, Debra, Janice, and more at Art by Farquhar. We’d be stoked to help you find the perfect piece to bring balance, energy, and a deep connection to Country into your world.

Browse all original artworks