Na Ngara Collection

Attention: open in a new window. PrintE-mail

Na Ngara Gallery

Introduction

Na Ngara is a school-based teaching and learning, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art collection comprising forty artworks. The gallery was officially launched on 29 May 2017 by the Secretary of Education, Mr Mark Scott. The works are on permanent display and will be accompanied by education kits for teachers and students.  Teachers are invited to bring small groups of students to visit Na Ngara and professional development opportunities for teachers are being considered.

This collection of Australian Indigenous art is entitled Na Ngara, which means "listen, think and learn" in the Darug language.  As a way of learning and teaching about Indigenous life --  that which is truly unique about Australia -- the art displayed here offers a remarkable opportunity.  For each work is a door to an epic struggle of people and culture in our midst. Congratulations to my old school for this enlightened initiative. It is, of course, just the beginning of listening, thinking and learning. 

 — John Pilger, 2017

The Na Ngara team comprises Geoff Andrews (SHS Foundation), Christine Godden (Indigenous Consultant), Simon Chan (Gallery Consultant), Claire Reemst, Jennifer May, Lynnea Stewart and Eliana Apostilides (SBHS). Further research, educational materials and consultancy has been provided by Tess Allas, Vivien Johnson, Dennis Golding and Jessica Leffley.

Gallery Collection

Bronwyn Bancroft (b. 1958), Black Fella, White Fella
Bronwyn Bancroft (b. 1958), Black Fella, White Fella, 1998
acryclic and mixed media;
Dale Harding, (b. 1982), Bright Eyed Little Dormitory Girls - Sack 1, 2014
Dale Harding, (b. 1982), Bright Eyed Little Dormitory Girls - Sack 1, 2014
etching and aquatint
Dale Harding (b. 1982), Untitled (I am the new Blak), 2014
Dale Harding (b. 1982), Untitled (I am the new Blak), 2014
etching
David Nolan (b. ), Number 31, 2012
David Nolan (b. ), Number 31, 2012
etching and aquatint
Ginger Wikilyiri (b. 1932), Ilpinya, 2008
Ginger Wikilyiri (b. 1932), Ilpinya, 2009
acrylic on canvas
Karen Barnes (b. 1992), Mina Mina Dreaming,
Karen Napaljarri Barnes (b. 1992), Mina Mina Jukurrpa,
acryclic on canvas
Laurel Nannup (b. 1943), No. 28, 2014
Laurel Nannup (b. 1943), No. 28, 2014
etching, open-bite and aquatint
Lorna Brown Napanagka (b. 1962), Site of Warren Creek, ,
Lorna Brown Napangaka (b. 1962), Site of Warren Creek, 2006,
acrylic on canvas
Minnie Pwerle (c.1910-2006), Awely (Women's Ceremony), 2002
Minnie Pwerle (c.1910-2006), Awely (Women's Ceremony), 2002
acrylic on canvas
Neville Poulson (b. 1951), Jukurrpa Watakiyi 'Bush' Orange Dreaming, 2002
Neville Japangardi Poulson (b. 1951), Watakiyi Bush Orange Dreaming, 2002
acrylic on canvas
Lorraine Connelly-Northey (b. 1962), Narbongs, 2016
Lorraine Connelly-Northey (b. 1962), Narbongs, 2016
found materials
Japaljarri Stewart (1940-2013), Crow, Possum and Dawn Dreaming,
Japaljarri Stewart (1940-2013), Crow, Possum and Dawn Dreaming, 2006
acrylic on canvas
Pirrmangka Reid Napanangka (c.1944-2006), The Man who ate Dingo Meat,
Pirrmangka Reid Napanangka (c.1944-2006), Farmer's Story, The Man who ate Dingo Meat, 2005
acrylic on canvas
Raymond Zada (b. 1971), A Little Story, 2015
Raymond Zada (b. 1971), A Little Story, 2015
relief etching
Reko Rennie (b. 1974), Message Stick, 2013
Reko Rennie (b. 1974), Message Stick, 2013
photo-etching, aquatint and viscosity roll
Rhonda Unurupa Dick (b. 1987), Yaalytji, 2015
Rhonda Unurupa Dick (b. 1987), Yaalytji, 2015
screen-print
Robert Fielding (b. 1969), Milkali Kutju, 2015
Robert Fielding (b. 1969), Milkali Kutju, 2015
screenprint
Steven Russell (b. 1957), Fish Trap, 2017
Steven Russell (b. 1957), Fish Trap, 2017
woven sculptural form
Tony Albert (b. 1981), Circle, 2015
Tony Albert (b. 1981), Circle, 2015
etching and aquatint
Tony Albert (b. 1981), Trapezoid, 2015
Tony Albert (b. 1981), Trapezoid, 2015
etching and aquatint
Artist Unknown, Karnta Jukurrpa (Women's Dreaming), c.2000
Artist Unknown, Karnta Jukurrpa (Women's Dreaming), c.2000
acrylic on linen
Vernon Ah Kee (b. 1967), Unwritten (Black), 2012
Vernon Ah Kee (b. 1967), Unwritten (Black), 2012
etching
Vincent Namatjira (b. 1983), Indulkana Tigers, 2015
Vincent Namatjira (b. 1983), Indulkana Tigers, 2015
multiple plate etching
Bandinja Gumana (b. 1972), Buyku, 2010
Bandinja Gumana (b. 1972), Buyku [detail], 2010
ochre on bark
Esme Timbery (b. 1931), The Harbour Bridge, 2017
Esme Timbery (b. 1931), The Harbour Bridge, 2017
shell, glitter, fabric, cardboard and glue
Marilyn Russel (b. 1952), The Opera House, 2017
Marilyn Russel (b. 1952), The Opera House, 2017
shell, glitter, fabric, cardboard and glue
Collaboration, Gaduu - Murray Cod, 2010
Collaboration, Gaduu - Murray Cod, 2010
plant fibre and rag paper
Rew Hanks (b.1969), Stop, There's No Need to Shoot the Natives, 2013
Rew Hanks (b.1969), Stop, There's No Need to Shoot the Natives, 2013
lino print
Willy Tjungurrayi, Untitled, 1999
Willy Tjungurrayi, Untitled, 1999
 
Pedro Wonaeamirri, Body Paint Design, 2001
Pedro Wonaeamirri, Body Paint Design, 2001
 
Freda Warlipini, Untitled,
Freda Warlipini, Untitled,
 
Kathleen Petyarre, Gatnangkere
Kathleen Petyarre, Gatnangkere,
 
Blak Douglas, White Wing,
Blak Douglas, White Wing,
 
Emily Kngwarraye, Alweye,
Emily Kngwarraye, Alweye,
 
Evelyn Pultara, Bush Yam, 2004
Evelyn Pultara, Bush Yam, 2004
 
Makinti Napanangka, Untitled, 2002
Makinti Napanangka, Untitled, 2002
 
Reko Rennie, Deadly,
Reko Rennie, Deadly,
 

Salutatory Essay

Dr Vivien Johnson FAHA is writer and sociologist who has been researching Aboriginal art, especially Western Desert art, since the late 1970s. She has curated several exhibitions, and during the 1990s she became involved in the copyright and cultural integrity issues arising from Aboriginal art's phenomenal critical and commercial success.

Dr Johnson produced the introductory essay to the collection:
icon Dr Vivien Johnson, 'Na Ngara Collection', June 2016

Credits

Thanks to SHS Foundation, City of Sydney, Aime, Cicada Press, Art Artium