The Best Aboriginal Art Galleries In Sydney Australia

Aboriginal artworks are some of the oldest in the world. Aboriginal artworks have been used to tell stories, from the most ancient rock paintings to sculptures, ceramics, and contemporary symbolic works. The aesthetic has evolved but it maintains its spirit of tradition. We profile the best places to find Aboriginal art in Sydney, Australia.

Karlangu Aboriginal Art Centre

In the heart of Sydney, the Karlangu Aboriginal Art Centre offers its 300 square meters of space to display one of Australia’s greatest collections of Aboriginal art by Aboriginal artists from around the country. The aim of the Karlangu Aborignal Art Centre is to support and promote this ancient and spiritual art form. Aboriginal Art | © Barbara Dieu/Flickr

Spirit Gallery

Art Gallery

Located in the Rocks near the center of Sydney and specializing in the display and celebration of Aboriginal art and culture, Spirit Gallery is one of the premier sites for Aboriginal artworks. This gallery and art shop exhibits and sells paintings on canvas, ceramics, and works of design, with an emphasis on the famous Aboriginal instrument: the Didgeridoo.

Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery

Art Gallery

Located in southern Newcastle, less than a two hour drive north from Sydney’s city center is the Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery. Although not in one of Australia’s main cities, this gallery is featured on our list as it is one of the most important in Australia for Aboriginal art. With over 75 percent of the content at the exhibitions of this gallery including Aboriginal art, sculpture or design, it is their fundamental goal to engage and acknowledge the Aboriginal community, their culture, voices and artistic expression.

The Australian Museum

Museum

Explore Aboriginal culture, history, and art at the Australian Museum. This museum is a great place to learn about Australia before its colonization by the British in the 19th century, as well as the natural history of the world’s largest island country. From dinosaurs to anthropological artifacts created by indigenous Australians and native cultures from around the Pacific, this museum is a hub for discovery and education.

Wentworth Galleries

Bridging the gap between traditional European styles of art and Aboriginal art, the Wentworth Galleries are two galleries in the center of Sydney. Both the gallery on Phillip Street and the gallery at Martin Place strive to create a balance between two styles. With over 15 years experience distinguishing great Australian Aboriginal art, the Wentworth Galleries have developed one of the best collections of this style in the world. Aboriginal Art | © Kay Adams/Flickr

About the author

Matthew Clark

Matt is a Linguistics graduate who was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. A passion for travel and foreign cultures was developed from a young age thanks to his well-travelled, multi-lingual parents who encouraged him to study foreign languages and find a way to live abroad. After graduating from La Trobe University in 2013, Matt moved to southern France to become an English teacher, from where he plans on exploring the European continent and all the fascinating history and culture that it has to offer.