Aboriginal Art in Canberra
Canberra, Australia’s capital, is more than just a political hub. Nestled between mountain ranges and known for its modern architecture, the city also boasts a vibrant arts scene. Galleries like the National Gallery of Australia prominently feature Aboriginal art, connecting visitors to the rich tapestry of the nation’s Indigenous heritage. This blend of modernity and ancient culture makes Canberra a unique and enlightening destination.
Australian National University (ANU) Drill Hall Gallery
The ANU Drill Hall Gallery is known for its high-caliber exhibitions, particularly highlighting Australian Aboriginal art. These exhibitions showcase the visual and narrative richness of Aboriginal paintings, enhancing public appreciation for their cultural significance. As a respected institution, the Drill Hall Gallery continues to support Indigenous artists and contribute to the dialogue around Aboriginal art within the wider art community.
Image: Ngabaya ngyirridji gunindjba by Jack Green. Image Via Australian National University (ANU) Drill Hall Gallery
Visit
Canberra Museum and Gallery
The Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG) serves as a cultural focal point in Australia’s capital, offering a multifaceted view of the region’s art, history, and society. As a guardian of Canberra’s art and history, CMAG fosters a deep appreciation for the Indigenous art forms that are an integral part of Australia’s cultural identity. The museum’s dedication to these exhibitions ensures that the stories and traditions of the Aboriginal communities continue to resonate with audiences, both local and international, and contribute to the larger conversation about the importance of Indigenous art in the global art scene.
Image: Canberra Museum and Gallery
Visit
National Gallery of Australia (NGA)
The National Gallery of Australia in Canberra is celebrated for its extensive collection and significant exhibitions of Australian Aboriginal art, offering a profound insight into the art form’s history and evolution. Landmark exhibitions like “Defying Empire: 3rd National Indigenous Art Triennial” showcase the NGA’s dedication to Indigenous art, providing a stage for both traditional and contemporary Aboriginal artists to share their cultural narratives and artistic expressions with a global audience.
Image: National Gallery of Australia (NGA)
Visit
National Museum of Australia
The National Museum of Australia in Canberra is renowned for its extensive portrayal of the country’s history and dedication to Indigenous cultures, especially through notable exhibitions like “Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters” that explore Aboriginal art and spirituality. It serves as an educational hub, showcasing the continuous legacy of Aboriginal people through both traditional and contemporary art, reflecting the museum’s role in narrating Australia’s past and present. As a cultural custodian, the museum promotes understanding and appreciation of the Aboriginal connection to the land and their cultural heritage.
Image: National Museum of Australia
VisitWhat is Aboriginal art?
Aboriginal art is part of the culture of Australian Aboriginal people who have lived on the Australian continent for over 50,000 years. They represent the longest continuous culture to be found anywhere on earth. Examples of Aboriginal art are found in caves and rock shelters, and the oldest of these have been dated back at least 18,000 years.
When did Aboriginal art start / how old is Aboriginal art?
Aboriginal art is part of the oldest continuous living culture in world history, with Australian Aboriginal people having settled on the Australian continent somewhere between 60,000 and 80,000 years ago. Evidence of Aboriginal culture is found in the rock art, which so far has been dated back at least 20,000 years, while archaeology has dated ancient campsites back to 50,000 to 65,000 years. Contemporary Aboriginal art is considered to start at the desert community of Papunya in 1971, when senior desert men began to paint their cultural stories using modern materials. This was prompted by school teacher Geoffrey Bardon requesting that school children paint their own stories, leading the senior men to open up their deeply held cultural knowledge to outside observers. The Papunya Tula desert art movement then influenced other communities to join the art movement through the following decades.
Where did Aboriginal art come from?
Australian Aboriginal people had two traditional forms of communication. These were oral storytelling and song as well as visual communication through drawing, painting and the use of ceremonial design. There was no written language, however for many survival depended on the ability to remember where food and water sources could be found at different times of the year. Aboriginal artists often paint maps of Country showing important landmarks. They often use an aerial perspective even when they have never been in a plane.
What is “Dreaming” (or “Dreamtime”) in Aboriginal art?
At the heart of Aboriginal culture and therefore of Aboriginal art, is the Creation law set down in the Dreaming, which provides the identity for traditional Aboriginal people and their connection to the land. Dreamtime is one translation of the Creation time for Aboriginal people, other terms often seen are Jukurrpa and Tingari - the term used varies according to the particular local language. Many Aboriginal artists paint aspects of their Dreaming, which forms part of their inheritance and their identity.
Read More: Aboriginal Art and the Dreamtime
Can I learn about specific Dreaming stories (e.g., Seven Sisters, Water Dreaming)?
Yes, Japingka’s guides cover stories like Seven Sisters (Pleiades) and Water Dreaming, explaining cultural context and how artists depict them.
Read More: Aboriginal Dreamtime Stories
What is dot painting and where did it come from?
Australian Aboriginal dot paintings are typical of a style of art works from the Central and Western Desert. They are a medium for telling stories and enlivening culture.
Read More: Aboriginal Dot Painting
Japingka Gallery ships Aboriginal artworks worldwide. View artwork collections.
Countries
Galleries in Australia