Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art

Collection
Ongoing
a person in blurred motion is walking through a gallery space

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander galleries.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived on the continent of Australia since time immemorial and the art and cultural traditions that have developed in this place are simultaneously among the most enduring in human history and the most exciting in contemporary society.

The National Gallery is custodian of the world’s largest and most outstanding collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, comprising over 7,500 works, and presents the nation’s largest dedicated exhibition space for First Nations art and creativity.

Our collection and gallery spaces aim to embrace, reflect and amplify the brilliance and diversity of First Nations art, culture and experience.

Related

First Nations

James Tylor
Photo essay

Lit by a single light, James Tylor sits in his darkened studio holding a daguerreotype photographic plate with gloved hands. He wears black and white Adidas trainers, olive chinos and a Kathmandu winter coat. He has dark short hair.

Kaurna artist JAMES TYLOR uses the historical 19th century photographic process of the Becquerel daguerreotype to create contemporary images.

Read Time 6 minutes
First Nations

Mantua Nangala

A deep yellow pattern of repeated lines and dots

Papunya Tula artist Mantua Nangala talks with Hetti Perkins about the renowned Western Desert art movement and her major new triptych for Ceremony.

Read Time 14 minutes
First Nations

Joel Bray

Photo of a man sitting on the side of a bathtub covered with soapy foam

Peter Johnson discusses Joel Bray’s performance practice, springing from the intersection of his Wiradjuri cultural heritage and his queer identity.

Read Time 4 minutes
Story

Remembering Mrs N. Yunupiŋu

The family of Mrs N. Yunupiŋu pay tribute to the innovative Yolŋu artist.

Read Time 22 minutes
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.

Read Time 27 minutes
First Nations

Mind your language

A wide long photograph / still from a film with a First Nations man, wearing a yellow singlet and black shorts signing

With the decade of Indigenous Languages beginning in 2022, find out how the Gallery will contribute to this vital global conversation.

Read Time 18 minutes