Aboriginal Contemporary

Aboriginal Contemporary first opened its doors in 2010 in Bronte, Sydney. Over the years, both the gallery’s business and its reputation for ethical practices have steadily grown with collectors, corporates and individual buyers. Today it is a member of Australia’s Indigenous Art Code and a respected voice in the Aboriginal art world.

Owner Nichola Dare regularly travels to remote communities in the Central and Western Deserts, the Kimberley, APY Lands and Arnhem Land to spend time with the artists and art centres the gallery represents. This exhibition presents work by artists from Warlukurlangu Artists, one of the longest running and most successful Aboriginal-owned art centres in Central Australia. Their art is internationally recognised for its bold use of colour and strong traditional iconography. The paintings tell the story of each artist’s connection to their country, the plants and animals found there, and the creation myths that began in the Dreamtime. Each artist has their own particular style and distinctive colour palette.

Dogs in Warlpiri are called ‘jarntu’ or ‘maliki’. Families in Yuendumu tend to keep many dogs, thought of as good company (‘marlpa’) and often as family (‘warlalja’), following their owners wherever they go.