Aboriginal Art
The Continuing Tradition
3 Jun 1989 – 17 Sep 1989
Peter Marralwanga, Kuninjku (Eastern Kunwinjku) people, Ngalyod, the Rainbow Serpent swallowing a woman, c. 1980, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, Purchased from National Gallery admission charges 1986.
About
This exhibition displayed the finest examples of Aboriginal art made in the contemporary decades preceding 1990. Using traditional and non-traditional media, the contemporary Aboriginal artists represented in the show have produced an extraordinary range and variety of works that reflect the continuity of their ancient traditions.
The exhibition had been arranged according to geographical regions in order to clarify the regional differences that exist in Aboriginal art styles across Australia. Works from Arnhem Land and the areas surrounding Arnhem Land formed the first part of the show, and these are followed by works from Western Australia, the desert regions and urban areas. The last work in the exhibition — The Aboriginal Memorial — could be seen in Gallery 9, on the lower level (Level 3) of the Gallery. This installation of 200 hollow log coffins, which was created by various Ramingining artists from the Northern Territory, was commissioned for the National Collection in 1987.
Related
Mud Men
Ramesh Nithiyendran
3 Jun 2016 – 26 Feb 2017
William Robinson
A Retrospective
14 Dec 2001 – 10 Mar 2002
Seeing Red
The Art and Science of Infra-red Analysis
17 Nov 2001 – 10 Feb 2002
Silently Stirring
21 Mar 2009 – 8 Jun 2009
Diane Arbus
American Portraits
3 Jun 2016 – 30 Oct 2016
Transparent Things
Expressions in Glass
7 Dec 2001 – 10 Nov 2002
In the Spotlight
Anton Bruehl photographs 1920s–1950s
23 Oct 2010 – 6 Feb 2011
The Birth of the Modern Poster
10 Feb – 13 May 2007
Joy Hester and Friends
1 Sep – 28 Oct 2001
3rd National Indigenous Art Triennial: Defying Empire
26 May – 10 Sep 2017
