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‘North by North-West’
Feb 2023 - Sep 2024

Patrick Tjungurrayi / Pintupi/Kukatja people / Australia c.1940–2017 / Untitled (Ngaru) (detail) 2009 / Purchased 2020. Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / © Estate of Patrick Tjungurrayi/Licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency

‘North by North-West’ presents recent acquisitions and old favourites from the Gallery’s Indigenous Australian art collection, highlighting unique visual threads and continuities that traverse the top half of the continent.

From the Tiwi in the north to the Pitjantjatjara people of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in the south, and across to the Gija and Bardi peoples from Warmun and Broome in the Kimberley region, ‘North by North-West’ celebrates the regionally specific styles of each Country. These characteristics have often stemmed from traditional body designs and cultural objects, which were shared or traded across borders. In this display, historic artworks are contextualised by contemporary reworkings of these traditional practices.

 

Particular attention is paid to the trade in artistic traditions and stories through songlines. Common motifs and ancestral stories are transformed across mediums through innovative explorations of form, symbol and texture.

 

‘North by North-West’ is on display in Galleries 1 and 2, QAG, until 29 September 2024. As this is a rotating Collection display, not all works below will be on display simultaneously. 

Feature image: Patrick Tjungurrayi / Pintupi/Kukatja people / Australia c.1940–2017 / Untitled (Ngaru) (detail) 2009 / Purchased 2020. Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / © Estate of Patrick Tjungurrayi/Licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency

 

Collection artworks featured in ‘North by North-West’

Artwork Tangini this artwork made of Woodcut on Kozo paper, created in 2010-01-01

Tangini 2010
Artwork Wirwirji - Police Hole this artwork made of Natural pigments with acrylic binder on Belgian linen, created in 2004-01-01

Wirwirji - Police Hole 2004
Artwork Mukurtu this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2010-01-01

Mukurtu 2010
Artwork Wati Kutjarra this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2013-01-01

Wati Kutjarra 2013
Artwork Kurungaiya with streaming coolamon and dogs this artwork made of Natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 1989-01-01

Kurungaiya with streaming coolamon and dogs 1989
Artwork Patjantja this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2018-01-01

Patjantja 2018
Artwork Kulama Pukumani this artwork made of Woodcut on Kozo paper, created in 2010-01-01

Kulama Pukumani 2010
Artwork Kapala this artwork made of Woodcut on Kozo paper, created in 2010-01-01

Kapala 2010
Artwork Balmarra 1 this artwork made of Wool and wood, created in 2002-01-01

Balmarra 1 2002
Artwork Balmarra 2 this artwork made of Wool and wood, created in 2002-01-01

Balmarra 2 2002
Artwork Balmarra, Seven Sisters this artwork made of Wool and wood, created in 2002-01-01

Balmarra, Seven Sisters 2002
Artwork What is theirs is ours now (I do not claim to own) this artwork made of Reckitt's Blue, ochre, dry pigment and binder on linen, created in 2018-01-01

What is theirs is ours now (I do not claim to own) 2018
Artwork Lake Baker this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2021-01-01

Lake Baker 2021
Artwork I live at YIPIRINYA HOSTEL this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint and marker pen on woven polypropylene bag, created in 2018-01-01

I live at YIPIRINYA HOSTEL 2018-19
Artwork Aboriginal Hostel this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint and marker pen on woven polypropylene bag, created in 2018-01-01

Aboriginal Hostel 2018-19
Artwork Rutjipma (Mt Sonder), NT this artwork made of Etching on paper, created in 2021-01-01

Rutjipma (Mt Sonder), NT 2021
Artwork Camping in Todd River. House too expensive $$$ this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint and marker pen on woven polypropylene bag, created in 2018-01-01

Camping in Todd River. House too expensive $$$ 2018-19
Artwork Wild yam this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen canvas, created in 1998-01-01

Wild yam 1998
Artwork Lightning this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen canvas, created in 1998-01-01

Lightning 1998
Artwork Wirdim (Red Butte), Ngarrgooroon country this artwork made of Natural pigments on canvas, created in 2000-01-01

Wirdim (Red Butte), Ngarrgooroon country 2000
Artwork Marranyji and Dinal this artwork made of Natural pigments on canvas, created in 2004-01-01

Marranyji and Dinal 2004
Artwork Traditional Tiwi motif XVI this artwork made of Sugar-lift etching on paper, created in 1997-01-01

Traditional Tiwi motif XVI 1997
Artwork Jilamara (Good design) #1 this artwork made of Lithograph on paper, created in 2001-01-01

Jilamara (Good design) #1 2001
Artwork Jilamara (Good design) #2 this artwork made of Lithograph on paper, created in 2001-01-01

Jilamara (Good design) #2 2001
Artwork Untitled (from 'Cyclone Thelma' series) this artwork made of Etching on paper, created in 1999-01-01

Untitled (from 'Cyclone Thelma' series) 1999
Artwork Seven sisters this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2011-01-01

Seven sisters 2011
Artwork Seven Sisters this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2012-01-01

Seven Sisters 2012
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 Texas hills this artwork made of Natural pigments with archival binder (Liquitex Gel) on Belgian linen, created in 1994-01-01

Texas hills 1994
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Purukapali c.1955
Artwork Ngamarrany Ngarrangkarni (Two Serpent Dreaming) this artwork made of Natural pigments on canvas, created in 2002-01-01

Ngamarrany Ngarrangkarni (Two Serpent Dreaming) 2002
Artwork Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges), NT this artwork made of Etching on paper, created in 2021-01-01

Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges), NT 2021
Artwork Kalaya Piti this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2017-01-01

Kalaya Piti 2017
Artwork X X NO FRACKING! this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint and marker pen on woven polypropylene bag, created in 2018-01-01

X X NO FRACKING! 2018-19
Artwork Minyma Kutjara this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2010-01-01

Minyma Kutjara 2010
Artwork Standley Chasm this artwork made of Watercolour on paperboard, created in 2006-01-01

Standley Chasm 2006
Artwork Barramundi Dreaming this artwork made of Natural pigments and eucalyptus gum on canvas, created in 1989-01-01

Barramundi Dreaming 1989
Artwork Riji (pearlshell pendant): Galaloongg (God Man Design) this artwork made of Pearlshell, hair string with natural pigment, created in 2006-01-01

Riji (pearlshell pendant): Galaloongg (God Man Design) 2006
Artwork Riji (pearlshell pendant): Traditional Bardi trading shell this artwork made of Pearlshell, hair string with natural pigment, created in 2006-01-01

Riji (pearlshell pendant): Traditional Bardi trading shell 2006
Artwork Riji (pearlshell pendant): Stingray, coconut tail (Butcher Joe) this artwork made of Pearlshell, hair string with natural pigment, created in 2006-01-01

Riji (pearlshell pendant): Stingray, coconut tail (Butcher Joe) 2006
Artwork Riji (pearlshell pendant): Bardi design this artwork made of Pearlshell, hair string with natural pigment, created in 2006-01-01

Riji (pearlshell pendant): Bardi design 2006
Artwork Riji (pearlshell pendant): Traditional Bardi trading shell this artwork made of Pearlshell, hair string with natural pigment, created in 2006-01-01

Riji (pearlshell pendant): Traditional Bardi trading shell 2006
Artwork Riji (pearlshell pendant): Jawi design this artwork made of Pearlshell, hair string with natural pigment, created in 2006-01-01

Riji (pearlshell pendant): Jawi design 2006
Artwork Riji (pearlshell pendant): Man/woman story this artwork made of Pearlshell, hair string with natural pigment, created in 2006-01-01

Riji (pearlshell pendant): Man/woman story 2006
Artwork Riji (pearlshell pendant): Man/Beast Ilyarrgan/Jawi this artwork made of Pearlshell, hair string with natural pigment, created in 2006-01-01

Riji (pearlshell pendant): Man/Beast Ilyarrgan/Jawi 2006
Artwork Untitled (Mamultjulkulnga) this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen, created in 2007-01-01

Untitled (Mamultjulkulnga) 2007
Artwork Untitled (Ngaru) this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on linen, created in 2009-01-01

Untitled (Ngaru) 2009
Artwork Ilma no. 3 - Fire at Dharragan this artwork made of Wire, wool tailings, house enamel paint in relief on plywood, created in 1995-01-01

Ilma no. 3 - Fire at Dharragan 1995
Artwork Ilma no. 4 - Father lost at sea this artwork made of Wire, wool tailings, house enamel paint in relief on plywood, created in 1995-01-01

Ilma no. 4 - Father lost at sea 1995
Artwork Palm Valley this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 2013-01-01

Palm Valley 2013
Artwork Kunawarritji this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen, created in 2011-01-01

Kunawarritji 2011
Artwork Parlini Jilamara (Old design) this artwork made of Natural pigments on Lanaquarelle paper, created in 1993-01-01

Parlini Jilamara (Old design) 1993
Artwork Pamajini (Armbands) this artwork made of Natural pigments on Lanaquarelle paper, created in 1993-01-01

Pamajini (Armbands) 1993
Artwork Kulama this artwork made of Woodcut on Kozo paper, created in 2010-01-01

Kulama 2010
Artwork Kulama this artwork made of Woodcut on Kozo paper, created in 2010-01-01

Kulama 2010
Artwork Kulama this artwork made of Woodcut on Kozo paper, created in 2010-01-01

Kulama 2010
Artwork Objects used in Kulama ceremony this artwork made of Etching, lift ground aquatint in two colours on paper, created in 2000-01-01

Objects used in Kulama ceremony 2000
Artwork West MacDonnell Ranges this artwork made of Watercolour on paper with board backing, created in 2010-01-01

West MacDonnell Ranges 2010
Artwork West MacDonnell Ranges this artwork made of Watercolour on paper with board backing, created in 2010-01-01

West MacDonnell Ranges 2010
Artwork Kunga's Fried Kanga this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 2020-01-01

Kunga's Fried Kanga 2020
Artwork West MacDonnell's this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 2020-01-01

West MacDonnell's 2020
Artwork MOBWAY this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 2020-01-01

MOBWAY 2020
Artwork Working 9 to 5 this artwork made of Water-based enamel on steel road-sign, created in 2022-01-01

Working 9 to 5 2022
Artwork Jilamara this artwork made of Screenprint on paper, created in 2002-01-01

Jilamara 2002
Artwork Ilma no. 1 - Tidal rip this artwork made of Wire, wool tailings, house enamel paint in relief on plywood, created in 1995-01-01

Ilma no. 1 - Tidal rip 1995
Artwork Jilamara (from 'Duyfken' portfolio) this artwork made of Etching on paper, created in 2006-01-01

Jilamara (from 'Duyfken' portfolio) 2006
Artwork Balmarra, Bullo River this artwork made of Wool and wood, created in 2002-01-01

Balmarra, Bullo River 2002
Artwork Jilamara this artwork made of Gouache on paper, created in 1990-01-01

Jilamara 1990
Artwork Love Riji (pearlshell pendant) this artwork made of Pearlshell, hair string with natural pigment, created in 2006-01-01

Love Riji (pearlshell pendant) 2006
Artwork Ilma no. 2 - Tides and whirlpools this artwork made of Wire, wool tailings, house enamel paint in relief on plywood, created in 1995-01-01

Ilma no. 2 - Tides and whirlpools 1995
Artwork Kulama this artwork made of Etching, lift ground aquatint in three colours on paper, created in 2000-01-01

Kulama 2000
Artwork Spears this artwork made of Etching, lift ground aquatint in one colour on paper, created in 2000-01-01

Spears 2000
Artwork Yirrinkiri Jilamara (from 'Duyfken' portfolio) this artwork made of Lithograph on paper, created in 2006-01-01

Yirrinkiri Jilamara (from 'Duyfken' portfolio) 2006
Artwork Pwoja (Pukumani body paint design) this artwork made of Natural pigments on paper, created in 2003-01-01

Pwoja (Pukumani body paint design) 2003
Artwork Pwoja (Pukumani body paint design) this artwork made of Natural pigments on paper, created in 2003-01-01

Pwoja (Pukumani body paint design) 2003
Artwork Untitled this artwork made of Gouache on paper, created in 1990-01-01

Untitled 1990
Artwork Untitled this artwork made of Gouache on paper, created in 1990-01-01

Untitled 1990
Artwork Serpentine Gorge this artwork made of Watercolour on paper with board backing, created in 2010-01-01

Serpentine Gorge 2010
Artwork (West MacDonnell Ranges) this artwork made of Watercolour on paper with board backing, created in 2009-01-01

(West MacDonnell Ranges) 2009
Artwork Information Transfer #3 this artwork made of Aluminium, ochre, chalk, water and electro-mechanical device on acrylic panels, created in 2015-01-01

Information Transfer #3 2015-18
Artwork My Dream is for my Country this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint and marker pen on woven polypropylene bag, created in 2018-01-01

My Dream is for my Country 2018-19
Artwork MY HOMELESS COUNTRY this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint and marker pen on woven polypropylene bag, created in 2018-01-01

MY HOMELESS COUNTRY 2018-19
Artwork In Papunya there would be 3 or 4 generations of families living in one house without their own space and it is a health and safety issue. Many people don't want to stay in their communities because of this this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint and marker pen on woven polypropylene bag, created in 2018-01-01

In Papunya there would be 3 or 4 generations of families living in one house without their own space and it is a health and safety issue. Many people don't want to stay in their communities because of this 2018-19
Artwork Mt Zeil, Central Australia this artwork made of Etching on paper, created in 2021-01-01

Mt Zeil, Central Australia 2021
Artwork Rutjipma (Mt Sonder), NT this artwork made of Etching on paper, created in 2021-01-01

Rutjipma (Mt Sonder), NT 2021

Related digital stories
ESSAY

New works for 'North by North-West'

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