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First Nations

Mervyn Bishop, Murri people, Is there an Aboriginal photography?, 1989, 1989, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, Purchased 1998. © Mervyn Bishop/Copyright Agency.

The National Gallery is committed to ensuring First Nations art, artists and culture are at the heart of the national cultural agenda.

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The National Gallery is committed to building and maintaining meaningful relationships with First Nations peoples, artists, communities, organisations and cultures. First Nations art, artists and presences have taken an increasingly prominent role within the Gallery’s artistic and learning programs, while our newly established Indigenous Engagement portfolio works internally and with the broader arts industry to consolidate ethical engagement at all levels of the arts ecology while strengthening the position of First Nations art, culture and leadership across the nation.

Reconciliation Action Plan

The Gallery is enthusiastically embarking on our first Innovate RAP. We can’t wait to share our ambitions with you in 2022.

First Nations Advisory Group

In 2022 the Gallery will be launching an Advisory Group to help guide and provide feedback and advice on our First Nations programs and on all matters concerning First Nations art and culture across our business.

Art & Artists


Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived on the continent of Australia for tens of thousands of years. Their art and cultural traditions are among the most enduring in human history and among the most exciting in contemporary society.

The National Gallery is custodian of the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, comprising over 7500 works, which embraces, reflects and amplifies the diversity of First Nations art and culture.

Search the Collection

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art

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A large metal sculpture of an Indigenous Australian fish trap is hanging from the ceiling in a large gallery foyer

The Aboriginal Memorial

The Aboriginal Memorial consists of 200 dupun (hollow log coffins) from central Arnhem Land and is one of the most significant works in the National Gallery’s collection, and in Australian art history. It was created in 1987–88, in the lead-up to the Australian Bicentenary, by 43 artists from Ramingining and the surrounding area. Each pole marks one year of occupation and together they stand as a memorial to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lives lost to colonial and ongoing conflict and trauma in Australia from 1788 to 1988.

The path through the installation represents the Glyde River in central Arnhem Land. The poles are located along the river according to their specific homeland.

The Aboriginal Memorial is open in Gallery 9 on Level 1.

More
Installation of 200 painted hollow logs placed in a gallery space, with a pathway through the logs

Ramingining artists, Djon Mundine, Bandjalung people, The Aboriginal Memorial, 1987–88, purchased with the assistance of funds from National Gallery admission charges and commissioned in 1987.

Exhibitions


See current and upcoming First Nations exhibitions at the Gallery and on tour.

  • Touring Exhibition

    Ever Present
    First Peoples Art of Australia

    National Gallery Singapore
    27 May – 25 Sept 2022

  • Exhibition

    Know My Name: Australian Women Artists 1900 to Now
    Part 2

    Installation photograph of Know My Name exhibition galleries featuring a herd of black sculptures, a white large high bed sculpture and a metal sculpture hanging on the wall in the background showing the phases of the moon.

    14 Nov 2020 – 26 Jun 2022

  • Touring Exhibition

    4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony

    On Tour
    Black and white image

    Shepparton Art Museum, VIC
    17 December - 26 February 2023

Ceremony


Ceremony is the fourth iteration of the National Indigenous Art Triennial. Learn about the artists and ideas behind the exhibition.

  • Ceremony Curator's Letter

    Hetti Perkins stands in front of two artworks.

    Hetti Perkins, Arrernte/Kalkadoon peoples, Senior Curator-at-Large

  • Article: Madhan warrugarra wirimbirra gulbalanh

    Image of Dr Matilda House and Paul Girrawah House in front of a scar tree

    Ngambri/Ngunnawal Traditional Custodians Dr Aunty Matilda House and her son, Paul Girrawah House

  • Article: Ceremony Artist Profile

    A portrait of Dylan River standing outside.

    Filmmaker and Kaytetye man Dylan River

  • Article: Family Ties

    Photograph of three children with their father holding a sign stating "Aboriginal Affairs"

    Q&A with Hetti Kenmarre Perkins, Arrernte and Kalkadoon peoples

Past Exhibitions

View Exhibition Archive

Collection

Tjanpi Desert Weavers

Two Indigenous Australian woman are on Country sitting with their sculptures of small animals woven from native and dyed grasses

14 Nov 2020—4 Jul 2021

Exhibition

3rd National Indigenous Art Triennial: Defying Empire

A painting of many spears

26 May—10 Sep 2017

Exhibition

Belonging
Stories of Australian Art

A black background with white text stating "we grew here"

6 Dec 2019—1 Aug 2021

Exhibition

2nd National Indigenous Art Triennial: unDISCLOSED

white and blue painting of a European graveyard with multicoloured native animals and a group of indigenous peoples around a campfire

11 May—22 Jul 2012

Exhibition

National Indigenous Art Triennial: Culture Warriors

13 Oct 2007—10 Feb 2008

Australian Art

Body Language

A group of eight black and white mimi spirits or Mokuy.

11 May 2019—9 Feb 2020

Exhibition

Earth/Sky

A man stands in front of a pink background wearing a crown of native Australian blossoms covering his eyes

6 Oct 2018—7 Apr 2019

Exhibition

Albert Namatjira
Painting Country

Watercolour landscape featuring a white gum in the foreground and mountain range in background

15 Jul 2017—2 Apr 2018

Wesfarmers Indigenous Arts Partnership


The National Gallery extends a special thanks to Wesfarmers Arts, the National Gallery’s Indigenous Arts Partner, for their extraordinary support of First Nations exhibitions and programs including the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony, Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia and the Indigenous Arts Leadership and Fellowship Program.

Supported by

  • Wesfarmers Arts

    Visit the website for Wesfarmers Arts
A screen capture of a video, displaying the words Indigenous Arts Leadership Program 2021

Leadership Program

a group of people are walking along a path in the bush, heading towards the camera

Fellowship Program

bird's eye view of green gumleaves in a bucket, gently smoking

This Place: Artist Series


Made possible by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. With thanks to Wesfarmers Arts, the National Gallery's Indigenous Arts Partner.

First Nations /  Video

This Place: Artist Series – Mabel Juli

Video still of artist standing in front of their paintings.

Published 24 February 2020

Senior Gija artist Mabel Juli captures nature, creation stories and history of the Darrajayin country in her traditional paintings.

First Nations /  Video

This Place: Artist Series – Vernon Ah Kee

Video still of artwork up close.

Published 24 February 2020

Follow Vernon Ah Kee as he prepares to paint his grandmother’s portrait and revisits the people and places that shaped him.

First Nations /  Video

This Place: Artist Series – Yvonne Koolmatrie

Video still of artwork up close.

Published 24 February 2020

Master weaver Yvonne Koolmatrie is passionate about preserving the near lost art of Ngarrindjeri weaving.

First Nations /  Video

This Place: Artist Series – Julie Gough

Video still of artwork up close.

Published 24 February 2020

Artist Julie Gough uses her art to bring to life people, places and events from Tasmanian colonial history.

First Nations /  Video

This Place: Artist Series – Ken Thaiday Sr

Video still of artwork.

Published 24 February 2020

Ken Thaiday Snr. is a Torres Strait Island artist renowned for his dance headdresses.


  • Learn


    • First Nations

      Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia
      Learning Resource

      a bright orange, black, red and white dot painting. There is a figure with lots of legs, like a spider, and many circles above and below.

      Learn from seven themes that highlight a selection of exhibition artists who explore culture, history, life, identity, and truth telling.

    • Student Program

      Art Ways of Learning

      Group of Primary school girls standing in front of a work of art

      Developed by First Nations people, this learning program will teach through and about culture.

    • First Nations

      Defying Empire: National Indigenous Art Triennial

      Primary & Secondary Learning Resource

      Learning Resource looks at seven contemporary artists whose work celebrates the resilience of Australia’s Indigenous people.

    • Student Program

      Stories of Australian Art

      Photograph of school children looking at colourful sculpture

      Celebrate the resilience of Indigenous cultures, and the connections between art, people and Country.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Protocols


    The National Gallery is committed to recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural rights and engagement through its Cultural Rights Policy.

    We understand that excellence shouldn’t only exist in the collection. The Gallery acknowledges that excellence is determined by the pursuit of meaningful and genuine collaboration with artists and their communities.

    While we haven’t finalised our Engagement Protocols yet, you can find some templates, guidelines and more in depth information here, developed by the Australia Council for the Arts, and here, developed by the Australian Museums and Galleries Association.

    Ethical Purchase of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art

    In many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, art sales are the main source of income. Making sure you always buy ethically and authentically is not just about protecting your investment, it’s about respect for the world’s oldest living culture, ensuring the artists and those around them are paid fairly and securing a sustainable future for Australia’s Indigenous art industry (see Indigenous Art Code).

    Acknowledgement


    Image of Dr Matilda House and Paul Girrawah House in front of a scar tree

    Dr Matilda House and Paul Girrawah House, Ngambri/Ngunnawal peoples, with scar tree, Kamberri/Canberra, 2021 © the artists.

    Developed as part of the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony the acknowledgement video shown as visitors open the National Gallery website shows Ngambri/Ngunnawal Traditional Custodian Paul Girrawah House undertaking the traditional practice of tree scarring in Kamberri/Canberra, where the bark of a eucalypt is carved or removed to create cultural objects such as shields and coolamons.

    Paul Girrawah House and Dr Aunty Matilda House’s tree scarring Mulanggari yur-wang (alive and strong) will be permanently featured in the National Gallery Sculpture Garden.

    More

    Related


    National Consultation

    Three people are standing in a gallery looking at works of art while one person with a video camera films the art

    The Gallery is embarking on a national consultation to help guide the development of the Indigenous Arts Leadership and Fellowship Program.

    Alumni

    A group of people are standing in an arc around a painting in a gallery space with one person speaking about at pointing at the painting

    Over 100 First Nations arts professionals have taken part in the Leadership & Fellowship Program since it began in 2010.

    Collection

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art

    a person in blurred motion is walking through a gallery space

    Ongoing

    The National Gallery is custodian of the world’s largest and most outstanding collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.

    First Nations

    S.J Norman

    Black and white photograph of Koori artist SJ Norman sitting at a table surrounded by animal bones

    Koori artist S.J NORMAN discusses his work 'Bone Library' and collaboration with the National Gallery and community.

    Ceremony Curator's Letter

    Hetti Perkins stands in front of two artworks.

    Hetti Perkins, Arrernte/Kalkadoon peoples, is curator of Ceremony, the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial.

    First Nations

    The Aboriginal Memorial

    A wide-angle photograph showing an installation of 200 painted hollow logs standing upright in a large gallery space. The surrounding walls are painted in a dark colour and the logs are positioned on a navy plinth shaped to resemble both sides of a river bank.

    The Aboriginal Memorial is an installation of 200 hollow log coffins commemorating all First Nations people who, since 1788, have lost their lives.

    Yuuma, Gurruburri

    The National Gallery acknowledges the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Kamberri/Canberra region, and recognises their continuous connection to culture, community and Country.

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    Opening Acknowledgment of Country

    The National Gallery acknowledges the First Peoples of this land and recognises their continuous connection to culture, community and Country

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    Aerial view of artist Lola Greeno walking along Rocky Beach
    Aerial view of artist Lola Greeno walking along Rocky Beach
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