3rd National Indigenous Art Triennial: Defying Empire

Exhibition
26 May – 10 Sep 2017
A painting of many spears

Kunmanara (Ray) Ken (Pitjantjatjara/Yankunyjatjara peoples), Kulata Tjuta, 2015, purchased 2016 © Ray Ken/Copyright Agency

About

Defying Empire brings the works of 30 contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across the country into the national spotlight.

The 3rd National Indigenous Art Triennial at the National Gallery commemorates the 50th anniversary of 1967 Referendum that recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australians for the first time. It explores the ongoing resilience of Australia’s Indigenous people since first contact, through to the historical fight for recognition and ongoing activism in the present day.

Be moved by powerful art that touches on the issues of identity, racism, displacement, country, nuclear testing, sovereignty and the stolen generations through many media: painting on canvas and bark, weaving and sculpture, new media, prints, photography, metalwork and glasswork.

This ground breaking show is the largest survey yet at the National Gallery and it highlights the continued excellence and diversity of Indigenous practice today.

Curator: Tina Baum, Gulumirrgin (Larrakia)/Wardaman/Karajarri peoples, Curator Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art

The content from this page is sourced from: National Gallery of Australia. "3rd National Indigenous Art Triennial: Defying Empire." Published May 2017, Archived 6 December 2021.

Touring Dates and Venues

  • Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, NT
    24 March – 15 July 2018
  • UQ Art Museum, QLD
    28 July – 11 November 2018
  • Western Plains Cultural Centre, NSW
    9 March – 5 May 2019
  • Mildura Art Gallery, VIC
    26 July – 13 October 2019
  • Australian National Maritime Museum, NSW
    5 March – 6 September 2020

Archived Site

The original website for this exhibition was published in 2017 and has been archived for research purposes.

View Archived Site

Related

Exhibition

4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony

Past Exhibition

March 26, 2022—July 31, 2022

The 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial is the National Gallery's flagship exhibition series.

Exhibition

2nd National Indigenous Art Triennial: unDISCLOSED

Past Exhibition
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

The second National Indigenous Art Triennial explored the spoken and the unspoken, the known and the unknown, what can be revealed and what cannot.

Exhibition

National Indigenous Art Triennial: Culture Warriors

Past Exhibition

13 Oct 2007 – 10 Feb 2008

The inaugural National Indigenous Art Triennial showcased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contemporary art practice.

First Nations

First Nations work of art detail of painted black hollow logs on display in dark exhibition space

We are committed to equity and social justice for the First Peoples of this continent and that of our global neighbours.

Article

The Aboriginal Memorial

Three men standing among a Bruce, Djon and Nick hollow log coffins from central Arnhem Land

On the eve of our 40th anniversary, the Gallery re-examines The Aboriginal Memorial.

Read Time: 9 minutes
First Nations /  Video

The Aboriginal Memorial
Ramingining Artists

Published 17 December 2010

The Aboriginal Memorial commemorates Aboriginal Australians who have lost their lives defending their land since the beginning of European settlement.

Special event

Bäru Gurtha
by Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu

Past Exhibition
Portrait photograph of artist Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu

3–9 Jun 2024
Hourly screenings
Melbourne CBD, Bourke St Digital Billboard

Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu from The Mulka Project creates a new digital art commission for ooh!media's 3DA digital billboard in Melbourne’s CBD.

Major Exhibition

5th National Indigenous Art Triennial: After the Rain

Upcoming

Dec. 6, 2025—April 26, 2026

The 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial is the National Gallery's flagship exhibition series.

In Conversation

Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu – Communicating Country

Artist Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu carrying a camera and wearing a bright orange t-shirt walking walking through his hometown of Yirrkala in Northeast Arnhem Land

Deaf artist Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu (Guti) discusses with his family and teachers how his connection to Country helped him learn to communicate.

Read Time: 12 minutes
Essay

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.

Read Time: 25 minutes