Alex O'Brien
International Travel

10 best places to see Indigenous art in Australia

Art crafted by Indigenous Australians has always provided a fascinating study of this country’s history, and in recent years contemporary Indigenous artist have be gaining international recognition! Here are the 10 best places to see Indigenous art in Australia.

1. Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural Centre – New South Wales

Located on the outskirts of Sydney, Muru Mittigar provides a sensory experience of Aboriginal customs and culture, and gives you the opportunity to learn and witness a variety of scared experiences. To learn more about Muru Mittigar click here.

2. Art Gallery of NSW – New South Wales

Dating back to 1871, the Art Gallery of NSW showcases one of the largest collections of Indigenous art in Australia including traditional bark paintings, contemporary art and photography. To learn more about the current exhibitions at the gallery click here

3. Museum of Sydney – New South Wales

Inside the Museum of Sydney you enjoy artefacts, paintings, film and soundscapes that evoke contemporary Aboriginal perspectives on Sydney's past, and outside the Edge of the Trees sculpture provides a fascinating study. For more information click here.

4. The Artery – New South Wales

Situated in the inner Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst, The Artery has an extensive range of contemporary Indigenous work, specialising in art from remote Aboriginal communities. For more information regarding the Artery exhibitions, click here.

5. Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts – Western Australia

Offering a range of visual and performing arts, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts often has exhibitions featuring contributions from the Aboriginal community to highlight the intimately connected culture. For more information click here.

6. Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory – Northern Territory

Picturesquely situated adjacent to Darwin’s Arafura Seas, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory features a range of traditional and contemporary arts in its extensive galleries. For more information on the exhibitions, click here.

7. Bangarra Dance Theatre – New South Wales

Founded in 1989, this Indigenous Australian contemporary dance company has put on a range of compelling productions and achieved success domestically and in the United States and United Kingdom. For more information on Bangarra click here.

8. Ilbijerri – Victoria

Founded in 1990, Ilbijerri is one of the longest running Aboriginal theatre companies in Australia and has been initiating and developing performances in collaboration with its community and artists on a range of complex issues. To learn more click here.

9. National Art Gallery of Australia – ACT

Comprising of thousands of spectacular works created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, the Indigenous art collection at the National Art Gallery of Australia is the largest of its kind in the world. For more information on its exhibits, click here.

10. Kooemba Jdarra Indigenous Performing Arts – Queensland

Founded in 1993, Kooemba Jdarra produces a range of compelling, contemporary performances here and overseas that present the stories of Indigenous Australians. For more information on this non-for-profit performing arts organisation, follow this link.  

Related links:

6 incredible Aussie cultural experiences

10 beautiful churches you must see in person

10 amazing aerial images of Western Australia

Tags:
art, Culture, Indigenous, aboriginal art