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'Great and Small'
Kindred Creatures in Indigenous Australian Art
Jun 2025 - May 2027

Works by (l–r) Garry Namponan, Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri, Craig Koomeeta and Jack Bell, installed at QAG for 'Great and Small', July 2025 / © The artists / Photograph: C Callistemon, QAGOMA

Animals have played a central part in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and spiritual beliefs for over 60,000 years. Native fauna form an integral part of relationships with Country, in community and are a foundation of economies, identity and sustainability.

Over many millennia of co-existence animals have been central to survival as a food source, for First Nations people they are also absorbed into lore and culture as images of totemic power; and into the ancestral creation stories that link people, land and animals. ‘Great and Small’ is a celebration of these connections.

‘Great and Small: Kindred Creatures in the Indigenous Australian Art Collection’ is on display until mid-2027 in the Dr Paul Eliadis AM Galleries (1 and 2), QAG. To make the most of your visit, check the exhibition dates, get information on getting here and parking, and find out about Gallery accessibility. As this is a rotating exhibition, not all works listed below will be on display simultaneously.

Feature image: Works by (l–r) Garry Namponan, Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri, Craig Koomeeta and Jack Bell, installed at QAG for 'Great and Small', July 2025 / © The artists / Photograph: C Callistemon, QAGOMA

Collection artworks featured in 'Great and Small'

Artwork Goanna watchin' while washin' I this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 1998-01-01

Goanna watchin' while washin' I 1998

Artwork Ku' (Camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with synthetic polymer paint, created in 2010-01-01

Ku' (Camp dog) 2010

Artwork Spearing roo (from 'The Bicentennial folio') this artwork made of Screenprint on Arches Satine 300gsm paper, created in 1988-01-01

Spearing roo (from 'The Bicentennial folio') 1988

Artwork Aboriginal bush tucker this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 1987-01-01

Aboriginal bush tucker 1987

Artwork Scrimshaw bull horns this artwork made of Carved bull horns with varnish, created in 1900-01-01

Scrimshaw bull horns c.1900-30

Artwork Goanna and sugar glider on a tree stump this artwork made of Earthenware, terracotta clay, slip-cast and modelled with natural earth-coloured slips and interior clear glazed, created in 1991-01-01

Goanna and sugar glider on a tree stump 1991

Artwork Cave Hill this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2010-01-01

Cave Hill 2010

Artwork Wititj (Olive pythons) this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark (Eucalyptus tetrodonta), created in 1983-01-01

Wititj (Olive pythons) 1983

Artwork Wititj and Bulukmin (Pythons and file snake) this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark (Eucalyptus tetrodonta), created in 1983-01-01

Wititj and Bulukmin (Pythons and file snake) 1983

Artwork Pukara this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2017-01-01

Pukara 2017

Artwork Mission days this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2002-01-01

Mission days 2002

Artwork Albert and Rex painting this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2003-01-01

Albert and Rex painting 2003

Artwork Pot: Reelpa (Drovers) this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built terracotta clay with underglaze colours, created in 2002-01-01

Pot: Reelpa (Drovers) 2002

Artwork Pot: Cows this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built terracotta clay with underglaze colours, created in 2000-01-01

Pot: Cows 2000

Artwork Ubirikubiri (Crocodile) headdress this artwork made of Cotton tree wood, enamel paint, pencil, feathers, plastic, raffia, copper wire, toothpicks, lead pencil, string, fixative, aluminium, glass marbles, created in 2004-01-01

Ubirikubiri (Crocodile) headdress 2004

Artwork Crocodile this artwork made of Carved wood with synthetic polymer paint, created in 2006-01-01

Crocodile 2006

Artwork Iwayi (Saltwater crocodile) this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built terracotta clay with incised white slip, created in 2019-01-01

Iwayi (Saltwater crocodile) 2019

Artwork Iwayi (Saltwater crocodile) this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built terracotta clay with incised white slip, created in 2019-01-01

Iwayi (Saltwater crocodile) 2019

Artwork Iwayi (Saltwater crocodile) this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built terracotta clay with incised white slip, created in 2019-01-01

Iwayi (Saltwater crocodile) 2019

Artwork (Emu and chicks) this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen, created in 2002-01-01

(Emu and chicks) 2002

Artwork Pot: Ilia (Emu) this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built terracotta clay with underglaze colours and applied decoration, created in 2002-01-01

Pot: Ilia (Emu) 2002

Artwork Pot: Enalaunga (Echidna) family this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built terracotta clay with underglaze colours and applied decoration, created in 2004-01-01

Pot: Enalaunga (Echidna) family 2004

Artwork Pot: Kangaroo this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built terracotta clay with underglaze colours and applied decoration, created in 1996-01-01

Pot: Kangaroo 1996

Artwork Burriwi (Emu) this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2002-01-01

Burriwi (Emu) 2002

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Captured kangaroo unknown

Artwork Aboriginal rock art, Stanley Island, Far North Queensland this artwork made of Linocut on wove paper, created in 1987-01-01

Aboriginal rock art, Stanley Island, Far North Queensland 1987

Artwork Karrgin and Goolarbool Ngarrangkarni (Moon and snake dreaming) this artwork made of Natural pigments on canvas, created in 2002-01-01

Karrgin and Goolarbool Ngarrangkarni (Moon and snake dreaming) 2002

Artwork Marranyji and Dinal this artwork made of Natural pigments on canvas, created in 2004-01-01

Marranyji and Dinal 2004

Artwork Ngayuku ngura - My country this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2012-01-01

Ngayuku ngura - My country 2012

Artwork Echidna this artwork made of Sedge rushes and echidna quills, created in 1992-01-01

Echidna 1992

Artwork Freshwater crocodile this artwork made of Carved milkwood with synthetic polymer paint, created in 2001-01-01

Freshwater crocodile 2001

Artwork Saltwater crocodile this artwork made of Carved milkwood with synthetic polymer paint, created in 2002-01-01

Saltwater crocodile 2002

Artwork Dingo this artwork made of Carved milkwood with synthetic polymer paint, created in 2002-01-01

Dingo 2002

Artwork Freshwater shark with mullet in mouth this artwork made of Carved milkwood with synthetic polymer paint and natural pigments, created in 2004-01-01

Freshwater shark with mullet in mouth 2004

Artwork Ku'pi'in (Large black camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal, synthetic polymer paint and acrylic binder, created in 2010-01-01

Ku'pi'in (Large black camp dog) 2010

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Crane with fish 2004

Artwork Honey Ant Dreaming (Papunya story) this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas board, created in 1971-01-01

Honey Ant Dreaming (Papunya story) c.1971-72

Artwork Irititja (Early days) this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on structural plywood, created in 2013-01-01

Irititja (Early days) 2013

Artwork Wititj and yalurr (Snake and catfish) this artwork made of Lithograph on paper, created in 1992-01-01

Wititj and yalurr (Snake and catfish) 1992

Artwork Burrut'tji (Lightning serpent) this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 2002-01-01

Burrut'tji (Lightning serpent) 2002

Artwork Ku' (Camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal, synthetic polymer paint and acrylic binder, created in 2010-01-01

Ku' (Camp dog) 2010

Artwork Sitting ku' (camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal and acrylic binder, created in 2009-01-01

Sitting ku' (camp dog) 2009

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Kangaroo c.1972

Artwork The ranger this artwork made of Slip-cast, white earthenware, glazed light green with fern motif in dark green, created in 2002-01-01

The ranger 2002

Artwork The ranger this artwork made of Slip-cast, white earthenware, glazed light green with fern motif in white, created in 2003-01-01

The ranger 2003

Artwork Sea hund (hound) this artwork made of Slip-cast, white earthenware, glazed blue shaded to white with abstract design, created in 2002-01-01

Sea hund (hound) 2002

Artwork Sea hund (hound) this artwork made of Slip-cast, white earthenware, glazed blue shaded to white with abstract design, created in 2002-01-01

Sea hund (hound) 2002

Artwork Wachter dein kultur (Guardian of culture) this artwork made of Slip-cast, white earthenware, glazed with polychrome abstract design, created in 2002-01-01

Wachter dein kultur (Guardian of culture) 2002

Artwork Wachter dein kultur (Guardian of culture) this artwork made of Slip-cast, white earthenware, glazed with polychrome abstract design, created in 2003-01-01

Wachter dein kultur (Guardian of culture) 2003

Artwork Seven sisters and Tjala Tjukurpa (Honey Ant Dreaming) this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2012-01-01

Seven sisters and Tjala Tjukurpa (Honey Ant Dreaming) 2012

Artwork Kanyalakutjina (Euro tracks) this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2011-01-01

Kanyalakutjina (Euro tracks) 2011

Artwork Dhangal um ariak this artwork made of Screenprint, hand-coloured on paper, created in 2000-01-01

Dhangal um ariak 2000

Artwork Walu Rockhole Dreaming, Emu Heart, The Boy Who Turned Into Wind this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2012-01-01

Walu Rockhole Dreaming, Emu Heart, The Boy Who Turned Into Wind 2012

Artwork Sea eagle this artwork made of Carved milkwood with natural pigments, created in 2002-01-01

Sea eagle 2002

Artwork Yellow-patched camp dog this artwork made of Carved milkwood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint, created in 2006-01-01

Yellow-patched camp dog 2006

Artwork Ku' (Camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal and acrylic binder, created in 2009-01-01

Ku' (Camp dog) 2009

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Untitled (from 'Duyfken' portfolio) 2006

Artwork Kaarkurutjintja this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 1993-01-01

Kaarkurutjintja 1993

Artwork Aputhathieu ngurpai (parental teachings) this artwork made of Linocut on paper, created in 1998-01-01

Aputhathieu ngurpai (parental teachings) 1998

Artwork Possum Dreaming this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 1994-01-01

Possum Dreaming 1994

Artwork Camel patrol, Central Australia this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on smooth cream wove paper, created in 1950-01-01

Camel patrol, Central Australia early 1950s

Artwork Rainbow rooster this artwork made of Recycled woollen blankets, natural dye, wool and acrylic yarn, created in 2018-01-01

Rainbow rooster 2018

Artwork Goanna skin this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2008-01-01

Goanna skin 2008

Artwork Turkeys and animals of Australian rock art this artwork made of Linocut on wove paper, created in 1988-01-01

Turkeys and animals of Australian rock art 1988

Artwork (Emu, snake and birds) this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 1965-01-01

(Emu, snake and birds) c.1970

Artwork Kalaya Piti this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2017-01-01

Kalaya Piti 2017

Artwork Pot: Eerarnta (Black cockatoo) this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built terracotta clay with underglaze colours, created in 2000-01-01

Pot: Eerarnta (Black cockatoo) 2000

Artwork Mount Hermannsburg this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2002-01-01

Mount Hermannsburg 2002

Artwork Mount Sonder and possums this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2003-01-01

Mount Sonder and possums 2003

Artwork (Kids hunting kangaroo) this artwork made of Coloured pencil on paper

(Kids hunting kangaroo) c.1954

Artwork (Aboriginal station hand) this artwork made of Coloured pencil and graphite on paper

(Aboriginal station hand) c.1954

Artwork (Aboriginal station hand) this artwork made of Coloured pencil and graphite on paper

(Aboriginal station hand) c.1954

Artwork Mandang Ikamba (Strength of a crocodile) this artwork made of Vinyl-cut on paper, created in 2020-01-01

Mandang Ikamba (Strength of a crocodile) 2020

Artwork Spearing dugong this artwork made of Oil on composition board, created in 1971-01-01

Spearing dugong 1971

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Echidna 1992

Artwork Hunting dance this artwork made of Linocut on wove paper, created in 1988-01-01

Hunting dance 1988

Artwork Water bird (rainbow) this artwork made of Recycled woollen blankets, natural dye, wool, acrylic yarn and peacock feathers, created in 2018-01-01

Water bird (rainbow) 2018

Artwork Water bird (orange) this artwork made of Recycled woollen blankets, natural dye, wool, acrylic yarn and feathers, created in 2018-01-01

Water bird (orange) 2018

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Woman with bush tucker and goannas 2018

Artwork Wakulyarri Jukurrpa (Rock Wallaby Dreaming) this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 1987-01-01

Wakulyarri Jukurrpa (Rock Wallaby Dreaming) 1987

Artwork Pot: (Guiree story - flying fox twins story) this artwork made of Stoneware, hand-built, with slip and oxide decoration on incised design, created in 1980-01-01

Pot: (Guiree story - flying fox twins story) c.1981

Artwork Cha'angg, 'Aanj and Guiree (The stingray, arrowroot and flying fox) this artwork made of Stoneware, hand-built, with slip and oxide decoration on incised design, created in 1985-01-01

Cha'angg, 'Aanj and Guiree (The stingray, arrowroot and flying fox) c.1990

Artwork Pwi dharridha (Petharee story) this artwork made of Stoneware, hand-built, with slip and oxide decoration on incised design, created in 1990-01-01

Pwi dharridha (Petharee story) c.1994

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Tribal brothers 1982

Artwork Tjulpu kulunypa this artwork made of Stoneware with terra sigillata and underglazes, created in 2017-01-01

Tjulpu kulunypa 2017

Artwork Ngintaka (Large lizard) this artwork made of Stoneware with sgraffito, created in 2015-01-01

Ngintaka (Large lizard) 2017

Artwork Wanampi Tjukurpa this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2010-01-01

Wanampi Tjukurpa 2010

Artwork Apu kaz this artwork made of Linocut, hand coloured on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2008-01-01

Apu kaz 2008

Artwork Dingo Dreaming this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on composition board, created in 1978-01-01

Dingo Dreaming 1978

Artwork Untitled this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 1987-01-01

Untitled 1987

Artwork Kalaya Tjukurpa (Emu Dreaming) this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2013-01-01

Kalaya Tjukurpa (Emu Dreaming) 2013

Artwork Waterbirds this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2002-01-01

Waterbirds 2002

Artwork (Stock work) this artwork made of Coloured pencil and graphite on paper

(Stock work) c.1954

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Mabaig gathia ulaik wapika naka (Man walking on reef looking for fish) 2002

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Theewith Yot. A! | Lots of White Cockatoo 2024

Artwork Small ku' (camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal and acrylic binder, created in 2010-01-01

Small ku' (camp dog) 2010

Artwork Freshwater shark this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with synthetic polymer paint and natural pigments, created in 2002-01-01

Freshwater shark 2002

Artwork Wallaby this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, created in 2002-01-01

Wallaby 2002

Artwork Mythical echidna hunted by mimih this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark

Mythical echidna hunted by mimih c.1960s

Artwork Malpa Wiru (Good friends) this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2016-01-01

Malpa Wiru (Good friends) 2016

Artwork Tree form this artwork made of Twined pandanus palm leaf, bark fibre string, feathers with natural pigments, created in 2002-01-01

Tree form 2002

Artwork Jamu (dog) this artwork made of Twined pandanus (Pandanus spiralis) and wood with natural pigments and PVA fixative, created in 2003-01-01

Jamu (dog) 2003

Artwork Jamu (dog) this artwork made of Twined pandanus (Pandanus spiralis) and wood with natural pigments and PVA fixative, created in 2003-01-01

Jamu (dog) 2003

Artwork Jamu (dog) this artwork made of Twined pandanus (Pandanus spiralis) and wood with natural pigments and PVA fixative, created in 2003-01-01

Jamu (dog) 2003

Artwork Jamu (dog) this artwork made of Twined pandanus (Pandanus spiralis) and wood with natural pigments and PVA fixative, created in 2003-01-01

Jamu (dog) 2003

Artwork Echidna this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 1959-01-01

Echidna 1959

Artwork Two crocodiles this artwork made of Natural pigments on bark, created in 1958-01-01

Two crocodiles 1958

Artwork Guardians of the Deep this artwork made of Hardwood, natural earth pigments, feathers, created in 2008-01-01

Guardians of the Deep 2008

Artwork Scratching ku' (camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal and acrylic binder, created in 2010-01-01

Scratching ku' (camp dog) 2010

Related digital stories

An installation view of a sculpture of a saltwater crocodile, painted with ochre-red designs
GREAT AND SMALL

Introducing 'Great and Small'

Read DIDACTIC
Irene Mbitjana Entata / Arrernte/Luritja people / Australia NT 1946–2014 / Albert and Rex painting (detail) 2003 / Purchased 2003. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © Irene Mbitjana Entata
GREAT AND SMALL

Kindred creatures: Great and small

Read ESSAY
A photograph of QAGOMA's Collection of ku' (camp dog) sculptures
ESSAY

Ku’ (camp dogs)

Read ESSAY