The National Gallery of Australia will present an extensive survey of significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in Berlin this November. Indigenous Australia: Masterworks from the National Gallery of Australia will present more than 100 artworks by over 60 artists, exploring Indigenous Australian culture, ancient rituals, mythology, country, identity, politics and race in one of the biggest exhibitions of Indigenous art to be held outside Australia.
Indigenous Australia follows on from the recent 3rd National Indigenous Art Triennial, Defying Empire, held at the NGA in Canberra. It traverses the complex recent history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, taking their stories to new international audiences.
From traditional bark paintings to photography, multimedia and sculpture, the comprehensive exhibition includes some of Australia’s most significant Indigenous artists— Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri, Albert Namatjira, Tommy McRae, Vernon Ah Kee, Yhonnie Scarce, and many more.
‘This is a special opportunity to showcase the rich and complex visual art of Indigenous Australia to Europe, and to the world. Berlin is a renowned centre of global contemporary art practice attracting huge numbers of arts engaged visitors,’ said Gerard Vaughan, NGA Director. ‘The second half of the 20th century witnessed a revolution in Indigenous art practice, whereby the incredible paintings and sculptures of Aboriginal Australians were recognised as art rather than artefacts, and increasingly as a contemporary art movement of global significance and interest.’
‘The NGA holds the largest collection of Indigenous artwork in the world. It is an honour to share it.’
The permanent collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art at the NGA consists of more than 8,000 works traversing the geographical, political, historical and cultural connections to Country, from the 19th century to today.
The Australian Government is supporting this exhibition through the Department of Communications and the Arts. The exhibition is a centrepiece of the Australia now 2017 program delivered in Germany by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, enabling international audiences to experience Australia’s creativity, culture and innovation.
Indigenous Australia: Masterworks from the National Gallery of Australia is on display at the ‘me Collectors Room’ in Berlin, from 17 November to 2 April, 2018.