Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia
Touring Portal

Tjungkara Ken, Sandra Ken, Yaritji Young, Freda Brady, Maringka Tunkin, Pitjantjatjara people, Seven Sisters 2018, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2020, © Tjunkara Ken, Sandra Ken, Yaritji Young, Freda Brady, Maringka Tunkin/Copyright Agency, 2022
Thank you for hosting this National Gallery touring exhibition.
Exhibition Overview
Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia surveys historical and contemporary works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Australia. Drawn from the collections of the National Gallery of Australia and Wesfarmers Arts, the works in this touring exhibition bridge time and place and are interconnected through story and experience.
Ever Present includes the work of over 80 artists as it considers seven overarching and interlinked themes: Ancestors + Creators; Country + Constellations; Community + Family; Culture + Ceremony; Trade + Influence; Resistance + Colonisation; and Innovation + Identity.
Together the works underline the ever-present existence of the First Peoples of Australia.
Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia is a National Gallery Touring Exhibition supported by Wesfarmers Arts and the Australian Government through the Office for the Arts.
Curator: Tina Baum, Gulumirrgin (Larrakia)/Wardaman/Karajarri peoples, Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, National Gallery of Australia
Approvals and Acknowledgements
Please acknowledge the National Gallery and sponsors in all communications and marketing collateral associated with the Touring Exhibition, and send back for National Gallery approval.
Please allow a minimum of five business days for approvals.
The National Gallery must approve the following before publication:
- Marketing collateral (print and electronic) i.e. exhibition posters, flyers, invitations
- Media releases
- Video
Please use the following acknowledgements as outlined:
Signage: All Exhibition signage shall include the logo lock up provided.
Written acknowledgement: Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia is presented by National Gallery Singapore in partnership with National Gallery of Australia and Wesfarmers Arts.
Spoken acknowledgement: Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia is presented by National Gallery Singapore in partnership with National Gallery of Australia and Wesfarmers Arts.
Social media acknowledgments: Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia is presented by National Gallery Singapore in partnership with National Gallery of Australia and Wesfarmers Arts.
Social media tags:
Instagram @nationalgalleryaus @wesfarmersarts
Twitter @natgalleryaus @wesfarmersarts
Facebook @NationalGalleryofAustralia @WesfarmersArts
#EverPresent
Please include logos on all advertising, printed material and marketing collateral associated with the Touring Exhibition as per logo lockup below:
- National Gallery of Australia
- Wesfarmers Arts
- Australian Government, Office for the Arts
Tour Information and Assets
Please find below all assets, including Marketing and Publicity Images (‘Hero Images’) for promotion of the Touring Exhibition.
Using these artworks: What you need to know
Venues are required to read the copyright information below and agree to the terms of use agreement in order to proceed.
Copyright
- The Marketing and Publicity Images (‘Hero Images’) have received copyright clearance only for the uses specified in Marketing and Publicity Images - Approved Uses.
- These images may not be distributed to any other party.
Use of these images outside of those specified in Marketing and Publicity Images - Approved Uses, without the Gallery's or the copyright holder's authorisation, is an infringement which may be subject to legal redress by the copyright holder.
Moral rights
- All images must be correctly acknowledged with the captions supplied herein.
- All images must be reproduced with due consideration for the artist's honour and reputation, respecting their moral rights i.e. no cropping or overprinting of the artwork unless approved otherwise
Infringement of an artist's moral rights may be subject to legal redress by either the artist or the estate of that artist.
Want images to provide to media for their use? See the Media Kit

Albert Namatjira, Western Arrarnta people, Gum tree and sandhill, c 1938, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2009, © Albert Namatjira/Copyright Agency, 2022

Tjunkaya Tapaya, Pitjantjatjara people, Untitled, c 1990, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2006, © Tjunkaya Tapaya/Copyright Agency, 2022

Rover Thomas [Joolama], Kukatja/Wangkajunga peoples, Cyclone Tracy, 1991, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 1991, © Rover Thomas [Joolama]/Copyright Agency, 2022

Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Anmatyerre people, Yam awely, 1995, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, gift of the Delmore Collection, Donald and Janet Holt 1995, © Emily Kame Kngwarreye/Copyright Agency, 2022
Destiny Deacon, G'ua G'ua/Erub/Mer peoples, Virginia Fraser, Forced into images, (still) 2001, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2006, © Destiny Deacon/Copyright Agency, 2022

Michael Riley, Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi peoples, Untitled [feather], from the series cloud, 2000, printed 2005, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2005, © Michael Riley Foundation/Copyright Agency, 2022

Christopher Pease, Minang/Wardandi/Bibbulmun peoples, Wrong side of the Hay (A deserted Indian village), 2005, The Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art, © Christopher Pease and Gallerysmith, Naarm/Melbourne

Tony Albert, Girramay/Yidinji/Kuku-Yalanji peoples, ASH on Me, 2008, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2009, © the artist and Sullivan+Strumpf, Gadigal Nura/Sydney

Timothy Cook, Tiwi people, Kulama, 2010, The Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art, Boorloo/Perth, © Timothy Cook/Copyright Agency, 2022

Judy Watson, Waanyi people, stake, 2010, The Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art, Boorloo/Perth, © Judy Watson/Copyright Agency, 2022

Tjungkara Ken, Sandra Ken, Yaritji Young, Freda Brady, Maringka Tunkin, Pitjantjatjara people, Seven Sisters 2018, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2020, © Tjunkara Ken, Sandra Ken, Yaritji Young, Freda Brady, Maringka Tunkin/Copyright Agency, 2022

Alick Tipoti, Maluilgal nation, Kala Lagaw Ya people, Koedal Baydham Adhaz Parw (Crocodile Shark) Mask 2010, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2010 © Alick Tipoti
Brief text (50 words)
Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia surveys historical and contemporary works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Australia. Drawn from the collections of the National Gallery of Australia and Wesfarmers Arts, the works in this touring exhibition bridge time and place and are interconnected through story and experience.
Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia is presented by National Gallery Singapore in partnership with National Gallery of Australia and Wesfarmers Arts.
Short text (100 words)
Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia surveys historical and contemporary works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Australia. Drawn from the collections of the National Gallery of Australia and Wesfarmers Arts, the works in this touring exhibition bridge time and place and are interconnected through story and experience.
Ever Present includes the work of over 150 artists as it considers seven overarching and interlinked themes: Ancestors + Creators; Country + Constellations; Community + Family; Culture + Ceremony; Trade + Influence; Resistance + Colonisation; and Innovation + Identity.
Together the works underline the ever-present existence of the First Peoples of Australia.
Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia is presented by National Gallery Singapore in partnership with National Gallery of Australia and Wesfarmers Arts.
Long text (200 words)
Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia surveys historical and contemporary works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Australia. Drawn from the collections of the National Gallery of Australia and Wesfarmers Arts, the works in this touring exhibition bridge time and place and are interconnected through story and experience.
Although Ever Present is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, it does not shy away from Australia’s complex histories. The works challenge stereotypes about First Nations people and what defines their art. The artists contest populist views of Australian history, using art as a tool of resistance and replacing physical weaponry with wit, satire and juxtaposition to confront viewers and to encourage conversations that are essential to dispute outdated myths and ideologies.
Ever Present includes the work of over 150 artists as it considers seven overarching and interlinked themes: Ancestors + Creators; Country + Constellations; Community + Family; Culture + Ceremony; Trade + Influence; Resistance + Colonisation; and Innovation + Identity.
Together the works underline the ever-present existence of the First Peoples of Australia.
Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia is presented by National Gallery Singapore in partnership with National Gallery of Australia and Wesfarmers Arts.
Learning Programs and Resources
Programming and Outreach support
The National Gallery offers programming and outreach support for Touring Exhibitions. Please contact the National Gallery Outreach Program Convenor Jessi England.
Available products

See below for products available for purchase by venues for resale:
Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia catalogue.
Contacts
Touring Exhibitions
Mary-Lou Nugent, Manager, Touring Exhibitions
P 02 6240 6650
E mary-lou.nugent@nga.gov.au
Communications
Jessica Barnes, Communications Officer
P 02 6240 6431
E jessica.barnes@nga.gov.au
Marketing
Hayley Barrett, Marketing & Tourism Coordinator
P 02 6240 6589
E hayley.barrett@nga.gov.au
Programs
Jessi England, John T Reid Outreach Program Convenor
P 02 6240 6516
E jessi.england@nga.gov.au