The contribution of aboriginal artists to the Northern Territory is acknowledged by this proud display of their work in the formal dining room at Government House.

Aboriginal Artists in the Northern Territory

DarwinAboriginal Artists work with both traditional and modern techniques toproduce dot paintings, x-ray styles, bark paintings, weaving craftworkand carving boomerangs, Didgeridoos and spears.

AustralianIndigenous art is the oldest ongoing tradition of art in the world.Rock carvings and paintings have been dated more than 30,000 years.

Arthas always been an important part of Aboriginal life, connecting pastand present, the people and the land, and the supernatural and thenatural.

There are many places where you can view original aboriginal art, including the Darwin Museum, the Darwin Library, several commercial art galleries and any of the local markets.

Leslie Nawirridj

Leslie Nawirridj painting traditional x-ray art

Lesliepaints in the traditional way of his people, known as Kunwinjku peoplewho come from the Liverpool River and Mann River regions of WesternArnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Hissubjects are local creatures (birds, animals, fish and earth spirits)which inhabit the freshwater billabongs and escarpment of that country.

The paintings are famous for their "x-ray" style. Leslie has perfected the technique of cross-hatching (called rarrk). He uses the bristles found inside the stem of a reed to paint these fine lines.

Leslie's work is an excellent exhibition of the Kunwinjku Art tradition.

Natasha Lloyd Nee Parriman

Natasha painting at Mindil Beach

Natashauses a modern medium of acrylic paints on canvass to share the bushtucker and culture stories of her ancestor's, the Nyul Nyul, Yawuru,Jabirr Jabirr and Yamatji tribes of Western Australia.

Theseindigenous art designs used traditional ochre's and raw materials fromthe land for ceremonial pieces, hunting tools and artefacts such asboomerang, clapping sticks, sea shells and boab nuts.Read more about Natasha here.

Rhonda Champion

Rhonda at Mindil Beach markets

Rhondahas developed her own style of painting from watching her uncles andgrandfathers paint during her early years in Bulman, a CentralArnhemland community, and also influenced by the styles of Oenpelli andJabiru.

As head of her family, she has gone back to studying thecultural background of her Marlirri clan and the Emu Dreaming whichstretches from Koiobidadah in North-East Arnhemland to Mt Catt.

Visit Rhonda painting at theMindil Beach markets.

Aboriganalart and history of the Kamor people of Daly River

Returnfrom Aboriginal Artists to Enjoy Darwin Home.

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