Anindilyakwa artists with their artworks on Groote Eylandt © Anindilyakwa Arts
Aboriginal Art from Groote Eylandt
Anindilyakwa Arts is a warnumamalya (Indigenous) led art centre spanning the Groote Archipelago in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Territory. Formally founded in 2005 with the support of the Anindilyakwa Land Council, it began as a single community art centre in the old Angurugu Mission school. It now represents approximately 450 member artists across communities and outstations on Groote Eylandt and Bickerton Island.
Groote Eylandt is Australia's fourth largest island, around 45 kilometres off the coast of northeast Arnhem Land. Protected from the introduced predators, livestock, and industry of the mainland, the island retains exceptional biodiversity. Its marine and terrestrial wildlife feature heavily in Anindilyakwa culture, lore, and art.
Anindilyakwa art is unique to the region in both style and technique. Artists explore creative avenues through "old and new ways," drawing on deep knowledge of traditional practice while experimenting with contemporary disciplines. Traditionally, artists are known for bark painting featuring floating motifs within a field of manganese pigment, and for dash painting, a bold form of pattern and linework entirely unique to Groote Eylandt. Contemporarily, Anindilyakwa artists have become closely associated with their bush dye practice, developing from traditional mangkurrkw (pandanus) dyeing into a textile-based artform that requires deep knowledge of Country, plants, and seasonal cycles.
Lead Art and Cultural Officer Noeleen Lalara describes the centre's significance: "Our art centres are a very important space for community. Through our art we are confident as we carry what we were taught by our ancestors. Our art hold stories and information of our land and songlines. The art centre brings a healthy kinship amongst us and is a safe place for us. We are proud to be a part of the art centre — here we can teach the young ones through our art so they can keep our culture strong into the future."
Artists at Anindilyakwa Arts with completed works © Anindilyakwa Land Council
Anindilyakwa Arts at a glance
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Founded
2005, with the support of the Anindilyakwa Land Council. Began in the old Angurugu Mission school. -
Location
Groote Eylandt Archipelago, Gulf of Carpentaria, NT. Public gallery at Alyangula Arcade, Alyangula (Tue, Wed, Fri 9am to 5pm; Sat 9am to 12pm). -
Language and Culture
Anindilyakwa people of the Groote Eylandt Archipelago. Anindilyakwa is the language of the entire archipelago. -
Art Centres
Angurugu Women's Art Centre; Umbakumba Women's Art Centre (in the historic Fred Grey House); Angurugu Men's Art Centre (at the Angurugu Culture Centre, led by senior song-men); artist outreach to Milyakburra and outstations, and to artists who have relocated to Cairns and Darwin. -
Art Style
Women: bush dye textiles, fibre art, ghost net sculpture, pandanus weaving, linocut prints, seed and shell jewellery. Men: bark painting, ochre painting, wood carving, yiraka (didgeridoos), ceremonial spears. Traditional styles include floating-motif manganese barks and dash painting unique to the region. -
Collection
The art centre holds the Groote Eylandt Community Collection in trust on behalf of the Anindilyakwa community, assisting with return of cultural items, collection management, and public access.
