Aboriginal Arts & Material Culture
The Northern Territory is home to a diversity of Indigenous groups who comprise one third of the population. The cultural pluralism and dynamism of these groups is profiled in the permanent collections and programs run by the Aboriginal Art and Material Culture section of the Aboriginal Heritage Unit. The MAGNT's holding of approximately 6,000 items includes the following key collections: the Hermannsburg watercolour paintings, the early Papunya Tula paintings, the Department of Welfare Top End bark paintings and the Holmes-Tiwi collection.
A cross section of the permanent collections is presented in the Aboriginal Gallery with paintings, works on paper and three-dimensional items. The display introduces visitors to many of the different stylistic traditions that exist in the Northern Territory and includes both classic and innovative artworks.
Each year in August the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory also hosts the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award. The Award, which provides $52,000 worth of prize money, is a major event open to all adult Indigenous artists.
Contact
Email: museum.magnt@nt.gov.au
