1. Arnhem Land (N.T.)
2. Art
3. Art motifs
4. Art techniques
5. Art, Aboriginal Australian
6. Central Australia
7. Dreaming
8. Kimberley region (W.A.)
9. Kinship
10. Rarrk (Artwork)
11. Relationship to place
12. Tanami Desert (Central NT SE52, SE53, SF52, SF53)
13. Tiwi Islands (N.T.)

This book by a recognised art expert, Christine Nicholls, examines the diversity and visual power of Indigenous Australian art today and explores the traditions and influences that have shaped its development. The Contemporary Acrylic Art Movement begun by a group of Aboriginal men living at Papunya in the early 1970s gave birth to the contemporary Australian Indigenous art movement. But Indigenous art is more than 40,000 years old and has a rich history of influences, motifs and styles of immense diversity.

This book canvases Indigenous art’s connection with the Dreaming, the kinship systems which underpin each artist’s practice, the iconography employed, and the wide range of paintings, artefacts, sculptures and installations which have been produced by Indigenous artists. There are examples and explanations of icons used in art from the Central and Western Desert regions and pronunciation guides for the various words in language scattered throughout the book.

The key message conveyed here is that Indigenous art is dynamic, and that Indigenous artists have a remarkable capacity to incorporate new media, styles and subject matter into their work. Shortlisted for the CBCA Awards 2004, this is a significant work of nonfiction for young readers.

1. National Museum of Australia ‘Collection Highlights: Papunya Collection’ https://www.nma.gov.au/explore/collection/highlights/papunya-collection
2. Papunya Tula Artists Pty. Ltd. https://papunyatula.com.au/
3. Japingka Aboriginal Art ‘The Emergence of Aboriginal Art’ https://japingkaaboriginalart.com/emergence-of-aboriginal-art
4. The Conversation, profile of ‘Christine Judith Nicholls’ https://theconversation.com/profiles/christine-judith-nicholls-34254
5. National Gallery of Victoria 9 April 2020 ‘Indigenous Voices of Creative Assertion and Resistance’ by Judith Ryan https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/essay/indigenous-voices-of-creative-assertion-and-resistance/
6. The Conversation 27 April 2015 ‘Indigenous Australia: Enduring Civilisation is a challenge to review’ by Christine Judith Nicholls (Review of London’s British Museum exhibition) https://theconversation.com/indigenous-australia-enduring-civilisation-is-a-challenge-to-review-40461
7. The Conversation 23 January 2014 Christine Judith Nicholls Part 1 ‘Dreamtime’ and ‘The Dreaming’ – an Introduction’ https://theconversation.com/dreamtime-and-the-dreaming-an-introduction-20833
8. The Conversation 29 January 2014 Christine Judith Nicholls Part 2 ‘Dreamtime’ and ‘The Dreaming’ – who dreamed up these terms?’ https://theconversation.com/dreamtime-and-the-dreaming-who-dreamed-up-these-terms-20835
9. The Conversation 6 February 2014 Christine Judith Nicholls Part 3 ‘Dreamings’ and dreaming Narratives – what’s the Relationship?’ https://theconversation.com/dreamings-and-dreaming-narratives-whats-the-relationship-20837