Bark Painting Creating a bark painting is an intricate process, and has many stages. Here we explain the process from start to finish. The bark used for bark paintings are from the stringy bark tree (Eucalyptus tetrodonta). It is important that the bark is knot free without splits or termite damage. Which has to be …
Basket Weaving There is a long tradition of basket weaving amongst women from Arnhem land. The material used to make baskets come from plants. These include; pandanus, palms and selected bark fibres. These plants are woven and knotted into baskets, bags and mats. Another material used are leaves. They are stripped, dried and dyed with …
Aboriginal Art Indigenous Australians have been creating Aboriginal art for tens of thousands of years. In the central desert areas of Australia the Aboriginal people have their own ceremonies. In which a series of song and dance cycles tell of the Ancestral Beings who walked the earth. These types of art teaching women’s law and …
Aboriginal Artefact Coolamon Artwork and artefacts are how Aboriginal people pass on their knowledge and culture. One of those is the Aboriginal artefact Coolamon. The Coolamon is a multi-purpose shallow bowl. Which looks similar to a curved wooden tray. Traditionaly Indiginous women mostly used the Coolamon. And it has many uses. Including carrying water, fruits, …
Tiwi Bird Carvings Aboriginal artists create Tiwi bird carvings using hardwood, decorated with natural earth pigments. Referred to as Tokampini. They are present throughout the major creation story of the Tiwi people. First Ancestor of the Tiwi Tribe Tokampini were mortal beings who acted as witnesses, messengers, mourners, informers, and law makers. They were present …
Hunting Boomerang The Aboriginal artefact Hunting Boomerang is as interesting as the people it served. It’s uses are wide and varied, and to the Aborigines it was a highly prized possession. It is a non-returning boomerang and as such, its ability to kill was outstanding. Not only was this boomerang used to hunt game. But …
Tiwi Spears Tiwi Spears are a unique artefact to the Tiwi. Only two islands are known to produce the spears. These include Bathurst and Melville Islands. In the old days artists spent plenty of time making the spears. This was to ensure the each spear had spectacular detail. Showing off the artist’s skills and therefore …
Hollow Log Ceremony Firstly the hollow log ceremony is a tradition that started during the Dreamtime and it relates to the burial procedures of those from Arnhem Land. Traditionally the burial procedure started with a shallow grave, where the deceased would be placed. Unusually the body would only be here for one year. Alternatively the …
Aboriginal Fine Arts Gallery is a founding member of the Australian Indigenous Art Trade Association, which was established to promote the ethical trade of indigenous art.
May – Oct (Dry Season)
Monday – Friday: 9.30am – 4:30pm
Saturday: 9.30am – 2:30pm
Sunday: 10am – 2:30pm
Nov – April (Wet Season)
Monday – Friday: 9.30am – 4.00pm
Saturday: 10.00am – 2:00pm
Sunday: Closed
