From the dot paintings of the Western Desert to the watercolours of the Hermannsburg School, outback Australia is home to many art traditions. Much of the most celebrated work comes from community art centres.
Where to buy
- Community art centres — such as those represented by Desart in central Australia and ANKA in the Top End and Kimberley. Many welcome visitors and sell directly.
- Galleries that are Indigenous Art Code members — in Alice Springs, Darwin, Broome and the cities.
- Art fairs — such as the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and Desert Mob in Alice Springs, which bring art centres together.
Questions to ask
- Who is the artist, and which community or art centre are they from?
- How was the artist paid, and how much of the price goes to them?
- Is there a certificate of authenticity from an art centre?
- Is the dealer a member of the Indigenous Art Code?
Avoiding fakes
Be wary of cheap souvenirs in "Aboriginal style" with no artist named. Products such as boomerangs or didgeridoos should name the maker and their community. Licensed products should acknowledge the artist and pay royalties.
Understanding the art
Aboriginal art in the outback is enormously varied. The Western Desert painting movement grew out of Papunya, west of Alice Springs, in the early 1970s, when senior men began transferring designs used in ceremony and sand drawing onto boards and canvas. Today art centres across the Western Desert, the APY Lands of South Australia and the Kimberley produce paintings, prints, punu (carved wooden objects), weaving and ceramics. In the Hermannsburg (Ntaria) area, the watercolour landscapes associated with Albert Namatjira and later the Hermannsburg potters form a distinct tradition. In the Kimberley, ochre painting traditions from places such as Warmun are internationally recognised, while Arnhem Land is known for bark painting and fibre art.
Each work carries meaning beyond its visual design. Many paintings depict the artist's Country, ancestral stories (Tjukurpa or Jukurrpa in some languages) or bush foods, and artists paint the stories they have the right to tell. A good art centre will provide documentation explaining the story in general terms without revealing restricted knowledge.
How community art centres work
Most remote art centres are owned and governed by Aboriginal artists through a community board. The centre supplies materials, records each work, markets art to galleries and visitors, and returns a share of each sale to the artist. Art centres are often among the most important employers and meeting places in their communities, supporting cultural maintenance, elders' programs and young artists.
Peak bodies help you find them. Desart represents art centres across central Australia; the Association of Northern, Kimberley and Arnhem Aboriginal Artists (ANKA) represents centres in the Top End, Kimberley, Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands; and APY Art Centre Collective and other groups represent centres in the APY Lands. Their websites list member centres and whether they welcome visitors. Some remote centres are on Aboriginal land and require a permit to visit, so check before you go.
The Indigenous Art Code
The Indigenous Art Code is a voluntary industry code of conduct, set up to promote fair and ethical trade in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Dealers who sign up commit to dealing fairly and transparently with artists, paying them promptly and providing provenance information. Look for the Code's logo in galleries and online, and check the member list on the Code's website if you are unsure. Membership is not a guarantee of every transaction, but it signals a dealer's commitment to ethical practice.
Documentation and provenance
A genuine work from an art centre will usually come with a certificate or catalogue documentation including:
- the artist's name, language group or community;
- the art centre's name and catalogue number;
- the title and a brief story of the work;
- the size, medium and date.
Keep this paperwork; it supports the work's value and history. Under Australia's resale royalty scheme, artists can receive a royalty when eligible works are resold commercially, which is another reason clear provenance matters.
Buying in person
Visiting an art centre is a highlight of many outback trips. Call ahead to check opening hours — many operate weekdays only, close for ceremony or sorry business, and may be quiet during the wet season. Ask permission before photographing artists at work. In Alice Springs, several galleries represent community art centres, and the annual Desert Mob exhibition at the Araluen Arts Centre brings together works from many Desart centres. In Darwin, the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair gathers centres from across the north. Dates for both change each year, so confirm with organisers.
Buying online
Many art centres sell through their own websites, which is often the most direct way to support artists. When buying from other online sellers, look for the artist's name, art centre documentation and Indigenous Art Code membership. Be cautious of sellers who can't tell you where a work came from.
Souvenirs and licensed products
Not every purchase needs to be a painting. Art centres and licensed manufacturers produce prints, textiles, homewares and cards that pay royalties to artists. Check labels for the artist's name and a licensing statement. Avoid mass-produced "Aboriginal-style" items with no named maker; these often have no connection to Aboriginal artists at all.
For more on travelling respectfully on Aboriginal land, read Visiting Country respectfully and Aboriginal-led tours and experiences.
Related guides
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
What is the Indigenous Art Code?
A voluntary code of conduct for dealers, setting standards for fair and ethical trade with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. Look for dealers who are members.
What are art centres?
Community-owned organisations that support artists, market their work and return money to artists and communities. Buying from or through art centres is one of the most reliable ways to buy ethically.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.
- Indigenous Art Code — Indigenous Art Code
- Desart — Desart
- ANKA — Arnhem, Northern and Kimberley Artists — ANKA
