Australian Aboriginal Inspiration

This series draws on the sacred stories and imagery of Australian Aboriginal peoples — the Dreamtime, the Rainbow Serpent, and the Mimi spirits. These paintings explore the deep relationship between indigenous sacred teachings and our connection to planet earth and the ancestors.

Imelda Almqvist is a shamanic painter and practitioner based in London, UK. Her work is found in art collections worldwide.

Dreamtime Paintings

"The Dreamtime is not a distant past but an eternal present — a living dimension where ancestors, land, and spirit are one. These paintings are an invitation to rethink our relationship to planet earth and to honour the sacred teachings of indigenous peoples."

The Dreamtime paintings offer a visual language that speaks to the ancient stories of creation, where ancestral beings moved across a formless land and shaped the mountains, rivers, and skies. These works invite the viewer to step beyond the ordinary world and into a realm where time flows differently, where the past, present, and future exist simultaneously. Through layered textures and symbolic imagery, the artist captures the essence of sacred narratives that have been passed down through generations, honoring the deep wisdom of Australia's First Peoples and their enduring connection to the land.

The Rainbow Serpent appears as a recurring motif, winding through compositions like a living river of color and meaning. This powerful being, central to many Aboriginal creation stories, represents the cycle of seasons, the life-giving force of water, and the continuous renewal of the earth. In these paintings, the serpent's form becomes a bridge between the visible world and the unseen realms of spirit. The artist approaches this subject with reverence, acknowledging that such sacred imagery carries profound cultural significance and must be treated with the deepest respect.

Mimi spirits, the slender, graceful beings of Arnhem Land mythology, also find their way into this collection. These ethereal figures are said to have taught the first people how to hunt, paint, and perform ceremonies. In the paintings, they appear as delicate presences, almost hidden within the landscape, reminding us that the spirit world is never far from our own. The artist's interpretation of these beings reflects a lifelong study of cross-cultural shamanic traditions and a commitment to portraying indigenous wisdom with authenticity and care.

Beyond the specific mythological references, this body of work speaks to a universal human longing for connection with something greater than ourselves. The Dreamtime is not merely a collection of stories from the distant past but a living reality that continues to shape the world today. These paintings invite contemplation on our own place within the great web of life, urging us to remember that we are all part of a larger story. The artist's shamanic perspective infuses each canvas with a sense of the sacred, creating works that function as portals for personal transformation and spiritual reflection.