Wentworth Galleries have been curating ethically-sourced Indigenous art from the Central and Western Desert regions of Australia for more than 30 years, including works by some of Australia’s greatest artists - Emily Kngwarreye, Gloria Petyarre and Tommy Watson. We are proud to work closely with individual artists and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our galleries actively work to establish and maintain good relationships with communities and individual artists.
The First Nations Peoples of Australia have the longest continuous living culture in the history of our world. Their artistic and cultural traditions span more than 60,000 years, from paintings and engravings on rock walls to ceremonial body art, sand and bark painting and decorative works on utilitarian objects such as spears and boomerangs. From 1971 onwards, there was a significant shift in perception from what had previously been classified as ethnographic art to Contemporary Indigenous Art when the Western Desert Art Movement emerged from the community of Papunya. The artists of Papunya Tula are known for their recognisable dotting techniques using acrylic paint onto board.
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Contemporary Indigenous art in Australia today is diverse, as it spans the length and breadth of the continent. There are over 120 active languages spoken in Australia today and as distinctly different from each other are the various modes of practice that have emerged from the many communities; from the Central and Western Desert communities to the APY Lands, The Tiwi Islands, West and East Arnhem Land to the Kimberley and all the way to Cape York and the Torres Strait.
Anchored but not confined by traditional beliefs, these contemporary art cultures have continued to develop as a way to maintain connection to, and take responsibility for ancestral lands, cultural identities and to express ideas about contemporary life.
The Indigenous Australian art we show is available to buy or rent. View artworks here or visit us in our galleries located in Sydney and Brisbane to see the works first hand if you're in Australia. With over three decades of experience in the art industry, we are well positioned to advise you on the investment side of art collecting. Speak to our team today to find out more about the services we can provide to you.
The value of investing in Aboriginal artwork
Collectors of Indigenous art are drawn to Aboriginal artworks for their raw, expressive and unique storytelling. With many Aboriginal artists living in remote and rural communities of Australia, authentic Indigenous artworks are hard to come by.
Indigenous Australian artworks allow collectors to incorporate meaningful pieces of art into their homes that tell powerful stories through bold, vibrant pigments and patterns, using specific palettes intrinsic to their region. Most Aboriginal works are highly emotive, expressing each artist’s personal journey from their upbringing and their unique life experiences.
Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art is inspired by varying motifs, from human figures and bushland food like bananas and water lily roots to native landmarks without the interference of technology. The underlying themes of nature pay homage to the Dreamtime — Aboriginal people’s belief that the land and people were created from spirits, rivers, streams, water holes, land, hills, rocks, plants and animals.
Why Wentworth Galleries is renowned for having the best Aboriginal art for sale
Wentworth Galleries have connected wonderful people with Australia’s best visual artists for over 30 years. We take great pride in ethically sourcing the best Aboriginal artworks from the most talented artists so that you can enrich your home or office space with our vibrant pieces. We have the experience and connections necessary to acquire some of the best available works.
How to determine the value of Aboriginal art for sale
For the inexperienced eye, it's easy to misjudge the quality of one Aboriginal artwork compared to another, but if you take your time, visit multiple galleries, and look at a lot of art, you will soon be able to tell the difference.
Whether you’re new to Aboriginal art or a long-time investor, if you’re interested in building your art collection, you must be aware of the following factors which directly correlate to the value of your Aboriginal artwork:
The artist’s identity
By investing in art from popular Aboriginal artists, you’re more likely to yield the best possible investment return.
The origin of the artwork
Before buying Aboriginal artwork, we highly recommend you familiarise yourself with the communities and regions where the artists are or were based. Sometimes, the specific origin of the artwork can impact the art’s value.
Authenticity
The advantage of buying Aboriginal art from a reputable gallery like Wentworth Galleries is you can count on the gallery to supply you with the relevant information and paperwork, including the artwork's title, a Certificate of Authenticity, and the artist’s biography. Written documentation that communicates the history of ownership of the artwork is preferred where possible.
By carefully considering each of these factors when inspecting Aboriginal artwork for sale, you can determine the artwork's authenticity and whether or not the artwork accurately reflects the artist’s place of origin.
Remember that a pop-up auction bargain may not always be the bargain it first appears to be when buying Aboriginal art. Keep these factors in mind when doing research and opt to buy Aboriginal art from a well-established gallery like Wentworth Galleries or Aboriginal art centre.
Browse our collection of Aboriginal art for sale
At Wentworth Galleries, we truly have something for everyone. From the Utopia artist Kudditji Kngwarreye, who comes from a family of high-profile artists, and is well known for his ‘Emu Dreamings’ and ‘Men’s Business’ works for which he is the custodian, to Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, known for his signature geometric painting style and is one of the Papunya region's finest desert painters.
If you’re new to buying Aboriginal artworks, take a look at our site and discover a wealth of information regarding the artists’ reputation, place of origin and life stories. That way, you can rest assured that your purchase will be in your best interest and in the best interests of the artists and their families.
Discover Indigenous art at a gallery local to you
If you’re in Sydney, we recommend visiting the Yiribana Gallery located inside the Art Gallery of New South Wales to see their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collection. We also recommend visiting multiple commercial galleries selling Indigenous Australian art. Once you've had the opportunity to see what is available, come and talk to us at Wentworth Galleries and view our collection of quality pieces of art by some of Australia's greatest artists, all backed up by a 2-year exchange guarantee.
You can find Indigenous Australian art in galleries all over the world — in Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, New York, Los Angeles, Singapore and beyond but you'll get the best of it at Wentworth Galleries in Sydney.
Rent or buy Aboriginal artworks from Wentworth Galleries today
Wentworth Galleries have been in Sydney CBD for over 25 years, renowned for their exceptional services. Our number one priority is making authentic Aboriginal art as accessible as possible for our valued customers to enjoy.
If you’re tentative about buying artwork right away, you can trial the artwork in your home or office at no cost and obligation free! If that’s not enough, we take it one step further and give you the option to exchange your purchased artwork for your full purchase price credit within two years of the date of purchase. Our art rental service means you can rent Aboriginal art or our Australian contemporary art anywhere from six months to 36 months with the option to purchase. That way, you can easily switch up your office or home art if you decide to redecorate for a move or just feel like something different. Not to mention, our art rental is 100% tax deductible for businesses!
If you opt to purchase your artwork, we ship our Australian artworks worldwide and pack with extreme care to prevent any damage, so your prized possession can arrive at your door safe and sound.
Secure your favourite artwork sooner rather than later with our interest-free lay-by, providing flexible payment options to make purchasing quality artworks more accessible for our valued customers. Artmoney is another great way to own the artwork you love sooner.
So what are you waiting for? Whether you need to organise a gift registry, organise framing or require acquisition on a specific piece, reach out to our expert team, and we’ll provide you with all the information you require.
FAQs
How can you tell the difference between a fake and an authentic piece of Indigenous Aboriginal art?
If you’re in the market for authentic Aboriginal art, you should steer clear of any artwork described as “Aboriginal-style art.” Tags like “Aboriginal-style” often refer to mass-produced art by non-Indigenous people, often without the consent of the original artist.
It’s estimated at least 75% of “Aboriginal style” art is not actually produced by Aboriginal artists. It’s crucial to avoid purchasing artwork that is not authentic. After all, the last thing you want to do is misappropriate the cultural significance of Aboriginal art or cause any harm to Aboriginal artists.
So, what can you do to ensure you’re buying Aboriginal art that’s authentic?
Check the artist’s identity — Invest in art from popular or known Aboriginal artists to yield the best investment return and confidence in your purchase.
Investigate the artwork’s origin — Familiarise yourself with the community and region of the artist or ask the gallery. Sometimes, the specific origin of artwork can impact the art’s value. It certainly has an affect on the style of the painting with different regions having quite distinct styles.
Ensure Artwork Authenticity — Buy Aboriginal art from a reputable gallery like Wentworth Galleries that supplies the relevant documentation, including the artwork title, a Certificate of Authenticity, and the artist’s biography.
Why are Indigenous Aboriginal artworks so expensive?
In recent years, interest in Indigenous Australian artworks has grown exponentially as international investors and collectors have begun to understand and appreciate the value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and culture.
The increased international interest in Indigenous art has caused an increase in the value of these paintings, particularly those of older, and more experienced Indigenous artists. Even so, at Wentworth Galleries we carry a wide range of original authentic artworks to suit many budgets - the sky is the limit.