Aboriginal Art Regions of Central Australia

Aboriginal art regions in Central Australia are commonly classified as Central and Western desert art. Within this vast region there are numerous small communities with both established and emerging Aboriginal art movements. Style and content varies between the communities as artists are influenced by their own unique landscapes and the associated Dreaming stories and by external influences.

Aboriginal art regions in Central Australia are commonly classified as Central and Western desert art. Within this vast region there are numerous small communities with both established and emerging art movements.

Style and themes varies between the communities as Aboriginal Artists are influenced by their own unique landscape, the associated Aboriginal Dreamtime Stories and by external influences.

Aboriginal Art Region map of Central Australia

Some communities such as Kiwirrkurra have an unbroken tradition with their culture. In other regions, the establishment of an art centre or the construction of a community hub influences the style of the art. The artist’s mobility has also given them both cross cultural and cross regional experiences that influences their Aboriginal Art and Paintings.

Central Art is located in Alice Springs the principal town and hub for the artists of the region. The map locates the various art communities that Central Art represents.

To the north and east are Utopia and Yuendumu.

Utopia, 270 kms north east of Alice Springs is the traditional lands of the Anmatyerre and Alyawarre Aboriginal People. Here Aboriginal Women painters dominate the art scene producing very fine work predominantly relating to Aboriginal Food gathering and Women’s Dreaming.

Yuendumu, 300 kms north west of Alice Springs is the traditional country of the Warlpiri people and the location of the significant sacred site Mina Mina (Women's Dreaming). Yuendumu artists are recognised for their vivid use of colour. Willowra, on Warlpiri and Anmatjirra land has a small art community.

To the west the Pintupi artists from Kintore (Walungurru) and Kiwirrkurra are strongly influenced by the Tingari Dreaming cycle – the story of the heroic journey of their ancestors.

Ikuntji (Haasts Bluff) is a newly established art community on the traditional country of the Luritja people. Watiyawanu (Mt Liebig) is a go-between community for families with connections to Haasts Bluff, Papunya, Kintore and Kiwirrkura.

Even further north west is the remote community of Balgo Hills (Wirrimanu). This community is a hub for several tribes and the artists in this community are influenced by the collision of different cultural groups, producing art that is dynamic, daring and challenging.

On the southern site is Mutitjulu, the community on the traditional lands of the Arrernte people, the custodians of Uluru (Ayers Rock). Irrkerlantye Artists at Aretyerre (Harts Range) maintain close connections with the Santa Teresa art Community, Ltyentye Apurte. Tjukurla on the edge of a large salt lake is an outstation and art community near Docker River.

Click the following links to view our regional Aboriginal Art Galleries: