logo
About Us

About Us

Gallery Gondwana was founded in Alice Springs in 1990 and has an international reputation for excellence in the field of contemporary indigenous art, with provenance assured.

From the start, Gallery Gondwana worked exclusively with a core group of cutting edge Indigenous artists.

Early on in the late eighties and early nineties art centres were few and far between and when eventually established in remote areas, these art centres only looked after the artists living within their region.

 

During this time, a very important group of artists were excluded, those who chose to make Alice Springs their home, even though they were from elsewhere. These artists included Dorothy Napangardi, Polly Napangardi Watson, Eunice Napangardi, Rachel Jurra Napaltjarri, Linda Syddick Napaltjarri, Dr George Tjapaltjarri and Barbara Napangarti Reid. This group had painted for the Centre for Aboriginal Artists, which was the government gallery in Alice Springs.

Prior to Gallery Gondwana, Director Roslyn Premont had been the manager of the government gallery (1987-1990) and was there when the federal government withdrew the funding. This was because Aboriginal art had now started to be recognised and it was felt that private enterprise could take on the role of promoting Aboriginal art.


Gallery Gondwana was then one of the first galleries to open in Alice Springs in 1990 and the above mentioned artists followed Roslyn to her gallery.


A separate studio space adjoining Gallery Gondwana was set up where the artists were nurtured, encouraged and supported in their experimentation, as each artist explored the boundaries of their practice. 


— this was an exciting time —

The gallery also facilitated ‘back to country’ trips. Directed by the artists themselves, these ‘back to country’ trips were to significant ‘Dreaming’ sites. The trips provided an invaluable stimulus and inspiration for their blossoming body of works.

Outside of Gallery Gondwana’s key artists and those whom they represent, all other works have been purchased ethically through art centres around Australia.


In keeping with the philosophy and acknowledging Australia's connection with the Pacific (encapsulating the spirit of Gondwana when Australia was connected to its neighbouring countries), Gallery Gondwana opened a gallery in Denarau, Fiji in 2018. The gallery now operates out of the Rusiate Lali Studio close to Suva.


After nearly 3 decades catering to the general public through its galleries, Gallery Gondwana closed the Alice Springs and Sydney retail galleries in 2011 and now operates from a showroom and online through their website.


Located at our Gondwana Sculpture Garden property, arrangements can also be made to talk with our Aboriginal art specialists and to view a more extensive range of artwork in our Showroom (by appointment). 

Share by: