Foundational works, including paintings by Albert Namatjira, will travel from Canberra to the Red Centre as part of the Government’s Sharing the National Collection initiative.

Sunrise chasing away the night
Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri, Sunrise chasing away the night 1977-78 synthetic polymer paint on composition board. National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Purchased 1997 © the estate of the artist, licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd.

Nine significant works by First Nations artists will be on loan for two years from June 2024 under the newest partnership  made through the Sharing the National Collection initiative.

Making their way from the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra to the Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs, the loans represent the first to the Northern Territory and the largest group of First Nations works to date. The long-term loans are timed to arrive to support Araluen’s 40th anniversary celebrations.

Four works by Albert Namatjira, one of the nation’s most famous and sought after painters, will be exhibited alongside works by foundational central Australian artists of the 1970s.

The works include:

  • Central Australian Landscape; Quarritana, Finke River (Organ pipes); Glen Helen Gorge from the south looking north and Ghost Gum by Albert Namatjira
  • Sunrise chasing away the night by Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri
  • Egret Dreaming by Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula
  • Water Dreaming by Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri
  • Corroboree site two by Timmy Payungka Tjapangarti
  • Big Corroboree Dreaming by Old Tutuma Tjapangati.

Sharing the National Collection is part of Revive, Australia’s national cultural policy, with $11.8m over four years to fund the costs of transporting, installing and insuring works in the national art collection so that they can be seen across the country for extended periods.

Regional and suburban galleries that may be interested in registering with the initiative can do so via this link: https://nga.gov.au/national-gallery-on-tour/sharing-the-national-collection.