Barangaroo Heralded
Once upon a time, there was Bennelong Point, where they put an Opera House to make Sydney famous around the world. Indeed, the world has responded by making the building Read More
Barbara Weir 1940s to 2023
One of my favourite personalities in Aboriginal art, the Utopia artist, Barbara Weir, died on 3rd January. She was probably over 80, though three different galleries give her birth dates Read More
Barangaroo Brouhaha
Only in Sydney, you may have noticed that there’s been a lively debate about the chances of an Indigenous Cultural Centre for the city. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Read More
HOLIDAY READING FOR CHRISTMAS & 2023
It’s certainly a rich time for the publication of books by or about Indigenous artists, or concerning the wider field of First Nations culture. In October, for instance, I finally Read More
2023 Beckons at the NATSIAAs
As one year’s Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards ends – the 2022 exhibition closing on January 15th in Darwin - so another begins. Entries are now Read More
The Perfect Sydney Art Museum?
The “Perfect Sydney art museum” is about to open officially this weekend. That was the consensus view of the Premier, the State Arts Minister and Art Gallery of NSW Director Read More
Make It New?
While the rest of the world seems to be discovering and relishing the art and culture of Arnhemland, the best exhibition I’ve seen recently here has been surprisingly unappreciated. And Read More
Jobs at the National Aboriginal Art Gallery
Exciting news from the NT regarding its Mparntwe-based National Aboriginal Art Gallery. The Northern Territory Government has today announced the appointment of Arrernte woman Sera Bray to co-lead the development Read More
Bad News, Good News
How to sell bad news as though it was all tickety boo! This is how the ‘Tarrkarri Update’ from the SA Government announced unhappy developments at its promised Centre for Read More
Momentous Celebration
The Australia Council announces “Purrumpa – a momentous five-day national celebration of First Nations arts and culture bringing together leaders from across the country”, and it starts today in Adelaide. Read More
Proppa Prize Winners
I’ve been saying for many a month that Australia’s First Nations artists are more appreciated around the world than they currently are in Oz, and now our provocateur Blak artists, Read More
Budget Backs Whadjuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre
One of the few exciting announcements regarding the arts in yesterday’s Federal Budget would have to be the $50 million confirming an ALP election promise for the Whadjuk Aboriginal Cultural Read More
Art Fairs Down South
Spring is springing and the First Nations art fairs that operate in the wintery north – Darwin and Cairns – are now replaced by Tarnanthi in Adelaide and the SOUTHEAST Read More
BALGO : CREATING COUNTRY
What do you do with a book that you are becoming convinced is a masterpiece, possibly even the best book ever written about Aboriginal art and culture? Well, the only Read More
Ngarralja Tommy May : 1935- 2022
“Thank you mob in Darwin for this business. Thank you. At last. I feel proud. I've been trying all my life, all the time second, fourth, last, sometimes nothing. But Read More
First Nations Director for National Aboriginal Art Gallery
Exciting news from Mparntwe/Alice Springs. The first Indignous appointment to the leadership of the troubled National Aboriginal Art Gallery team has been announced, with applications open until 6th October. S/He Read More
Critiquing the Critics
Three recent heavyweight reviews of Indigenous art in three newspapers – The Wall Street Journal, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian – raise fascinating questions about how and why Read More
The Queen in Arnhemland
An excellent article on the Artshub website considers the late Queen Elizabeth as a subject for Australian art. Of course, Vincent Namatjira features, alongside Paul Ryan, Karla Dickens and Sir Read More
Sydney Contemporary ‘22
Ninety galleries showing art from 34 countries under one vast industrial roof, all showing off the art they are proudest of, and which they think will sell best. Sydney Contemporary Read More