Skip to main content
Skip to footer Skip to Acknowledgement of Country
National Gallery of Australia
What's On Art & Artists Visit
Login
  1. Home
  2. National Gallery Exhibition History
  3. 3rd National Indigenous Art Triennial: Defying Empire

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

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
  • Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, TAS
    15 November 2019 – 9 February 2020
  • 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The original website for this exhibition was published in 2017 and has been archived for research purposes.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

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.

Touring Exhibition

4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony

On Tour
Black and white image

Shepparton Art Museum, VIC
17 Dec 2022 – 26 Feb 2023

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

Exhibition

National Indigenous Art Triennial: Culture Warriors

Past Exhibition

13 Oct 2007—10 Feb 2008

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

Browse hundreds of current and past exhibitions

Current Exhibitions Exhibition History
A sphere made of interlocking geometric shapes hangs in the sky

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.

  • National Gallery On Demand
  • Art & Artists
  • What's On
  • Visit
  • Membership
  • Donate
  • Jobs
  • About Us

Connect

+61 2 6240 6411
information@nga.gov.au
Get art in your inbox

Open every day

(except Christmas day)
10am – 5pm

Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country
Parkes Place East, Parkes ACT 2600

View Street Map
View Gallery Map


Contact us

National Gallery of Australia

Follow the National gallery of Australia on:

  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Website Privacy Website Disclaimer Website Copyright
Opening Acknowledgment of Country

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

Learn More
Aerial view of artist Lola Greeno walking along Rocky Beach
Aerial view of artist Lola Greeno walking along Rocky Beach
    • View All
    • Today
    • Exhibitions
    • Access Programs
    • All Programs
    • On Demand
    • About the Collection
    • Sculpture Garden
    • Kenneth E. Tyler Collection
    • Provenance
    • Conservation
    • Copyright
    • Search the Collection
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Getting Here
    • Parking & Transport
    • Art Store
    • Dining
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Research Library & Archives
    • Admission tickets
    • Browse Stories
    • Browse Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Audio Tours
    • Virtual Tours
    • The Annual
    • Publications
    • Learning Programs
    • For people with access needs
    • For Teachers & Students
    • For Young People
    • For Kids & Families
    • For Adults
    • For Your Community
    • Art Cases
    • Educator Programs
    • Get Involved
    • Membership
    • Voluntary Guides
    • Partnerships
    • Support
    • Donate
  • First Nations
  • Access
  • Art Store
  • Media
  • Venue Hire
  • About Us
  • Contacts