Australian Aboriginal Art in New Zealand
New Zealand, with its rich Indigenous Māori culture and appreciation for diverse art forms, offers a unique perspective on exploring Australian Aboriginal Art. Just as the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki presents a magnificent collection of art that speaks to the country’s diverse heritage, this guide aims to introduce you to local galleries where the vibrant storytelling and intricate patterns of Australian Aboriginal Art are celebrated. Through these spaces, Kiwis and visitors alike can delve into an art form that, like Māori art, is deeply rooted in ancient traditions and connection to the land.
The interconnectedness of New Zealand’s own Indigenous culture creates a receptive and respectful backdrop for engaging with Australian Aboriginal Art. From the bustling streets of Wellington, reminiscent of the creative energy found in Cuba Street, to the serene landscapes of Christchurch, these galleries offer spaces for contemplation and appreciation. They serve as cultural hubs, akin to Te Papa Tongarewa, bridging the gap between the ancient stories of Australia's Indigenous peoples and the contemporary art scene in New Zealand.
Whether you find yourself amidst the urban art scene of Auckland or exploring the artistic offerings of smaller towns, these establishments offer a gateway to understanding and appreciating the depth and beauty of Australian Aboriginal Art. Join us as we explore the best venues across New Zealand, offering a journey through the vibrant colours, patterns, and stories of one of the world's oldest living cultures.
Galleries in New Zealand featuring Australian Aboriginal Art
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, renowned for its extensive collection that spans eleven centuries, occasionally showcases Australian Aboriginal art, acknowledging the rich cultural narratives intrinsic to these works. While not a primary focus, the gallery’s inclusion of Australasian Indigenous art signifies its commitment to regional artistic expressions, offering visitors a valuable cross-cultural perspective. Through these exhibitions, the gallery serves as a cultural conduit, inviting engagement with the spiritual and historical significance of Aboriginal art, thereby reinforcing its role as a vital cultural institution in the Pacific art landscape.
Image: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
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Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū enriches New Zealand’s cultural scene with its diverse art exhibitions, including those of Australian Aboriginal artists, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of Indigenous art in the Australasian context. Its commitment to showcasing these works enhances Christchurch’s artistic dialogue, celebrating the shared heritage and unique narratives of the region’s Indigenous cultures.
Image: Lightning Dreaming by Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri. Image Via Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
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Gow Langsford Gallery
Gow Langsford Gallery in Auckland is esteemed for its influential role in exhibiting contemporary art and has a history of featuring works by Australian Aboriginal artists. Its collection and exhibitions offer a dialogue between traditional Aboriginal narratives and contemporary artistic expression, underscoring the gallery’s commitment to cultural diversity and artistic excellence.
Image: Gow Langsford Gallery
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Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery
Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery in West Auckland is celebrated for showcasing contemporary art with a special focus on New Zealand and Pacific artists, occasionally including Australian Aboriginal artworks. These exhibitions delve into the Indigenous narratives, offering a glimpse into Aboriginal culture’s deep connection with the land. As a hub for artistic exchange, Te Uru facilitates intercultural understanding and highlights the shared histories within the Pacific region, positioning itself as an inclusive space that honours ancient traditions while fostering contemporary artistic expression.
Image: Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery
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Whitespace Contemporary Art
Whitespace Contemporary Art in Auckland is renowned for its dynamic representation of contemporary art, including works by Australian Aboriginal artists. The gallery’s exhibitions delve into the spiritual and cultural depths of Aboriginal art, providing a platform for education and appreciation. By showcasing such work, Whitespace nurtures a global dialogue on Indigenous art, emphasising its significance within the broader contemporary art sphere and affirming its commitment to cultural exchange and the celebration of artistic diversity in the Pacific region.
Image: Whitespace Contemporary Art
ViewWhat 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.