Seven unmissable art experiences

QAGOMA art exhibit
QAGOMA art exhibit

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art is beautiful, unique and meaningful. Every painting, sculpture, weaving, dance, performance or creation shares and celebrates the stories of Country, cultures, history and community through spectacular combinations of contemporary and traditional storytelling techniques.

Witnessing these incredible performances and creations by First Nations people is a privilege, and hearing directly from the artists and creators behind them is even more so. Spend time watching, listening and deeply engaging with First Nations art through these premium experiences that every art lover must try.

Bangarra Dance Theatre - Sandsong

Bangarra Dance Theatre is Australia’s premiere First Nations dance company. Witness Bangarra live through Sandsong: Stories of the Great Sandy Desert at the iconic Sydney Opera House, the Melbourne Art Centre and the Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo before the tour hits regional centres in October and Novemeber.

Set under the vast Kimberley sky, the red pindan dust stretches across the desert homelands of the Walmajarri, where the ancient knowledge of People and of Country is preserved through Songlines that have endured for hundreds of generations. 

This magnificent performance of traditional and contemporary dance shares the unique story of the Kimberleys and the survival of its People, shared with audiences through a powerful combination of art, light, music and dance.

Bangarra Dancy company x Sydney Opera House

QAGOMA First Artists Evening Indigenous Experience

Immerse yourself in the art and cultures of First Nations people throughout an exclusive, three-hour private group booking giving an inside look at QAGOMA’s incredible Indigenous Australian art collection.

Begin your evening with a Welcome to Country and enjoy refreshments before commencing a guided tour of the spectacular collection. Learn about traditional art techniques as you express your own creativity through a guided workshop led by a local Aboriginal artist.

As you explore different styles of First Nations art, indulge in stunning canapés crafted by Koori Chef Chris Jordan as you learn about the fresh native ingredients used. At the end of your evening, take home a gift courtesy of the QAGOMA store and Aboriginal Art Co to remember this incredible evening of art and culture forever.

QAGOMA art exhibit

Wakaj - A Traditional Corroboree Experience

Wakaj - a Traditional Corroboree Experience, is an immersive experience that deeply engages the audience with First Nations cultural practices, through a beautiful celebration of meaningful performative art.

Join Pintirri Dancers amidst the vibrant skies of sunset as you are taken on a journey through the sounds of traditional Karajarri songs, echoing through the surrounding bushlands. While Maru (traditional Corroborees) have deep spiritual purpose and connectivity, Wakaj is a typical gathering of Johani and Mervyn's family which they generously share with others through a fun and entertaining interpretation.

Learn about Bugarrigarra (The Dreaming) through stories, song and dance as you enjoy damper, tea, coffee and bush food honey.

Wakaj - A Traditional Corroboree Experience

Dot Painting Experience at Uluru

For thousands of years, Anangu people have passed down their knowledge generation to generation in order to keep the land, their culture and their people strong. Through an incredible 90 minute dot painting experience, Anangu artists invite you to learn about Anangu culture through the bold and meaningful creation of art.

Seated at the foot of sacred and majestic Uluru, learn about ancient symbols and techniques used in Anangu dot painting and apply your knowledge to create your own masterpiece to take home.

As you paint, listen whilst your teacher as they share insights into the tools and significance of each practice, deepening your understanding of contemporary and traditional Anangu life.

Dot painting at Uluru

Waringarri Art Centre Tour

Connect with Miriwoong Country and culture with in depth tour of Western Australia's oldest Aboriginal art centre, Waringarri Art Centre located in the spectacular Kimberley landscape in Kununurra.

Surrounded by Waringarri’s spectacular array of First Nations art, begin your experience with a traditional Welcome to Country. Be inspired by local artists as they share the meanings behind their beautiful pieces.

Share a conversation, listen as you guides share Dreaming stories of the region, taste delicious homemade damper and be transported by the haunting sounds of the didgeridoo. Be sure to view the gorgeous hand engraved boab nuts by Waringarri Artists, which have been painstakingly carved and then set in aluminium. 

Waringarri Art Centre Tour

Traditional Aboriginal Art Workshop in Perth

Join Nyungar Wadjuk man and celebrated artist Justin Martin for a fun and informative art workshop in Perth.

Take a seat and pick up your tools ready to begin as you listen to the culture, history and creation stories that inspire Justin’s artworks which can be seen dotted throughout Perth as spectacular public murals.

Learn about the significance of specific symbols, stories and colours used in Nyungar art as you try your hand at creating your own masterpiece based on techniques passed down to Justin from generation to generation.

Traditional Aboriginal Art Workshop

Two Day Daintree Aboriginal Art and Survival

Explore the natural wonders of Kuku Yalanji Country as you engage with the traditional knowledge and practices of this beautiful region in Tropical North Queensland.

Join Traditional Custodians, the Walker family and wander the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest as you learn about its abundance of resources and their uses for survival. Learn traditional hunting and gathering techniques while enjoying a variety of activities such as spear fishing, identifying bush foods, hiking and visiting sacred sites.

Visit the Janbal Aboriginal Art Gallery, a special place where you will learn about Aboriginal art styles and culture with local Kuku Yalanji artist and traditional owner Binna. Witness Binna’s contemporary art style inspired by his homeland of the Daintree rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef as you enjoy time to relax and create your own work of art to take home.

Daintree Art and Survival class

Aboriginal Art and Dreamtime Stories

Join Wardandi Bibbulmun woman Dale Tilbrook for a meditative afternoon of art and conversation.

Nestled in Western Australia’s beautiful Swan Valley, the relaxed setting of Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery is the perfect space to learn, ask questions and explore. Yarn with Dale as you learn traditional dot painting techniques, then allow your new understandings to guide the evolution of your mini masterpiece.

As you paint, taste delicious bush foods and listen as Dale shares Dreaming stories of the region. When you’re done, take time to explore the lush bush food garden and stop to feed the friendly emus.

Keep exploring unforgettable First Nations experiences with Welcome to Country and connect to the wisdom of the world's oldest living cultures.

Aboriginal rock paintings

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