Sydney is home to many opportunities to see some incredible Aboriginal Art from all across Australia. Steeped in rich history and cultural significance, these artworks tell stories of ancient traditions, spirituality, and the enduring connection between the land and its people.
You’ll find many places where you can purchase authentic Indigenous art and craft works in Sydney at Aboriginal-owned galleries, or galleries accredited by industry associations, to ensure ethical and sustainable practices to protect Indigenous artists.
Some of Sydney’s major museums and art galleries also have exhibitions that showcase the cultural and social histories of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through their art. Below we will list the best places to see Aboriginal Art in Sydney.
The best places to see Aboriginal art in Sydney
1. ABORIGINAL ART GALLERIES, QVB
Proudly involved in the Indigenous art industry for over 28 years, Aboriginal Art Galleries features artwork from internationally renowned and emerging artists alike. It showcases a variety of crafts, artefacts and didgeridoos alongside beautiful paintings.
1300 385 862; aboriginalartgalleries.com.au
2. AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, DARLING HARBOUR
The Australian National Maritime Museum’s permanent exhibition, EORA First People, features bark paintings, sculptures and artefacts from Australia’s Aboriginal coastal and river communities, showing their strong connection with the sea.
02 9298 3777; sea.museum
3.THE ARTERY CONTEMPORARY ABORIGINAL ART GALLERY, DARLINGHURST
The Artery Contemporary Aboriginal Art Gallery supports Indigenous communities and is a member of the Indigenous Art Code. The Artery’s goal is to offer the highest quality and best selection of Aboriginal art at reasonable prices.
02 9380 8234; artery.com.au
4.BOOMALLI ABORIGINAL ART, LEICHHARDT
Boomalli is an Aboriginal-owned co-operative with a main gallery for major exhibitions and smaller galleries used by Boomalli’s Artist members to mount and curate solo exhibitions.
02 9560 2541; boomalli.com.au
4. COOEE ART GALLERY, BONDI AND PADDINGTON
Australia’s oldest Aboriginal fine art gallery has a regular exhibition program. A member of the Indigenous Art Code, Cooee specialises in Indigenous paintings, sculpture, limited-edition fine art prints, quality artefacts and hand-crafted gifts.
02 9300 9233; cooeeart.com.au
5. KATE OWEN GALLERY, ROZELLE
Kate Owen Gallery has more than 2,000 artworks by 200 artists housed in its Rozelle space. A proud member of the Aboriginal Art Association of Australia, all paintings come with certificates of authenticity and, where available, photographs of the artist creating the work and with the completed work.
02 9555 5283; kateowengallery.com
6. MUSEUM OF SYDNEY, SYDNEY
The Edge of the Trees sculpture in the museum forecourt marks the site of first contact between the British colonisers and the Gadigal people of Sydney. Inside, the museum takes visitors on a journey through Sydney from 1788 to contemporary times. The Gadigal Place gallery honours the diverse and complex history, culture and survival of the Gadigal clan on whose land this museum stands, and acknowledges the complexity and ongoing variety of Aboriginal communities in the Sydney region today. 02 9251 5988; sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/ museum-of-sydney
7. SPIRIT GALLERY, THE ROCKS
A premier location for Aboriginal Art in Sydney, Spirit Gallery is also the only specialist Sydney didgeridoo shop – representing the most recognised craftsmen in the country all under the one roof. It houses Sydney’s largest collection of Aboriginal arts and crafts, authentic boomerangs and music-quality didgeridoos. Conveniently located in the Rocks near the Sydney Visitor Centre.
02 9247 5961; spiritgallery.com.au
8. YIRIBANA GALLERY, ART GALLERY OF NSW, SYDNEY
The Yiribana Gallery has beautiful art by acclaimed Indigenous artists. It also includes the Yiribana Project Space, and a range of changing exhibitions. Yiribana means ‘this way’ in the language of the Eora people and acknowledges the location of the gallery on Gadigal land.
02 9225 1700; artgallery.nsw.gov.au/venues/yiribana
