List of Australian Indigenous art movements and cooperatives

Australian Indigenous art movements and cooperatives have been central to the emergence of Indigenous Australian art. Whereas many western artists pursue formal training and work as individuals, most contemporary Indigenous art is created in community groups and art centres.[1]

The following external sites are links to some of the Aboriginal-owned and -operated art cooperatives. These cooperatives reflect the diversity of art across Indigenous Australia from the north west region where oscachre is significantly used; to the tropical north where the use of cross-hatching prevails; to the Papunya style of art from the central desert cooperatives. Art is increasingly becoming a significant source of income and livelihood for some of these communities.

Peak groups

These are organisations that represent, or include, a number of Indigenous art cooperatives.

Indigenous art movements and cooperatives

There is a wide range of art centres. They are all Indigenous-owned and/or controlled and are all not-for-profit organisations or, in a few cases, companies owned by the artists (Papunya Tula; Jirrawun Arts). The oldest is Ernabella Arts, formed in 1948. The largest by sales in 2006 were Papunya Tula and Warlayirti.[2]

Name of centreLocation or nearest townYear establishedMajor artists associated with centreExternal link
Aboriginal Australia Art and Culture CentreAlice Springs, Northern Territory1973 web page
Bima WearNguiu, Bathurst Island, Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory1969 web page
Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operativeSydney, NSW1987Bronwyn Bancroft, Michael Riley, Harry Wedge web page
Bula'Bula ArtsCentral Arnhem Land, Northern Territory1990 web page
Elcho Island Art and CraftElcho Island, Northern Territory1992 web page
Ernabella ArtsUluru, Northern Territory1948 web page
Hermannsburg PottersHermannsburg, Northern Territorynot known web page
IkuntjiHaast's Bluff, NT1992Daisy Jugadai Napaltjarri, Molly Jugadai Napaltjarri web page
Injalak ArtsGunbalanya, Northern Territory1989Lofty Bardayal Nadjamerrek, Jimmy Namarnyilk, England Banggala, Glen Namundja, Graham Badari, Gabriel Maralngurra, Isaiah Nagurrgurrba web page
Irrunytju Artsnot knownnot knownYannima Tommy Watson web page
Iwantja ArtsAnangu Pitjantjatjara Lands, South Australia1995[3] web page
Jirrawun ArtsWyndham, Western Australianot knownPaddy Bedford, Freddy Timms
Keringke ArtsSanta Teresa, Northern Territory1989 web page
MangkajaFitzroy Crossing, Western Australiaearly 1980s web page
Maningrida ArtsManingrida, Northern Territorynot knownJohn Mawurndjul web page
Maruku ArtsUluru, Northern Territory1984 web page
Mimi ArtsKatherine, Northern Territorynot knownBill Yidumduma Harney web page
Papunya TulaNorthern Territory1972Anatjari Tjakamarra, Eileen Napaltjarri, Tjunkiya Napaltjarri, Makinti Napanangka, Pansy Napangardi, Timmy Payungka Tjapangati, Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, Doreen Reid Nakamarra, Billy Stockman Tjapaltjarri web page
ProppaNOWBrisbane, Queensland2002Richard Bell web page
TitjikalaTitjikala, Northern Territorynot known web page
Tjanpi Aboriginal Baskets - Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjarra Yankunytjatjara Women's CouncilCentral Australia (Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia)1995 web page
Tiwi Island ArtistsTiwi Islands, Northern Territory1998[4] web page
Waralungku ArtsBoroloola, Northern Territory2003 web page
Warlukurlangu ArtistsYuendumu, Northern Territory1985Sheila Brown Napaljarri, Helen Nelson Napaljarri, Norah Nelson Napaljarri, Shorty Jangala Robertson, Liddy Walker, Dorothy Napangardi, Paddy Japanangka Lewis, Paddy Japaljarri Sims, Paddy Japaljarri Stewart, Mary Anne Nampijinpa Michaels web page
Warmun Art CentreWarmun (Turkey Creek, Western Australia)1998Shirley Purdie web page
Waringarri Aboriginal ArtsKununurra, Western Australiaearly 1980s web page
Warlayirti ArtistsBalgo, Western Australia1987Susie Bootja Bootja Napaltjarri, Takariya Napaltjarri, Topsy Gibson Napaljarri web page
Yirrkala (Buku-Larrngay Arts)Yirrkala, Northern Territorynot known web page

Note: Unless otherwise indicated, the reference for the location and year of establishment of each centre is the organisation's web page.

References

  1. ↑ Wright, Felicity and Morphy, Frances 1999-2000. The Art & Craft Centre Story. Canberra: ATSIC (3 vols).
  2. ↑ Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, . Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, June 2007.
  3. ↑ The centre's predecessor, Indulkana Arts Association, was established in the 1970s. Iwantja Arts, About us, retrieved 8 March 2009]
  4. ↑ Formed as a network of three pre-existing art organisations

External links