First Nations Art Tours

'North by North-west' exhibition / First Nations Art Tour / September 2024 / Gallery of Modern Art | Queensland Art Gallery / Brisbane / Photography: C. Sanders, courtesy of QAGOMA

'North by North-west' exhibition / First Nations Art Tour / September 2024 / Gallery of Modern Art | Queensland Art Gallery / Brisbane / Photography: C. Sanders, courtesy of QAGOMA / View full image

Delve into the diverse stories, complex histories, and rich culture of First Nations artists and their work.

Join Kalkadoon woman, Sandy Harvey, Public Programs Officer, QAGOMA for a tour highlighting First Nations artworks in ‘Great and Small Kindred creatures in the Indigenous Australian Art Collection’.

In this season’s tour, explore the work of artists Judy Watson, Jimmy Donegan, Teho Ropeyarn, Craig Koomeeta, Lena Yarinkura and more.

Explore additional resources about the artworks featured on the tours.

Tours are free and bookings are required. Please note that tour content is repeated across all dates listed.

Group Bookings

These tours have a limited capacity and are designed for general visitors. Large groups and private bookings cannot be accommodated for these tours. The Gallery offers a range of private tours and experiences for larger groups. Find out more information.

Upcoming Events

See all Upcoming Events

Featured Artists & Artworks

Judy Watson / Waanyi people, Australia QLD b.1959 / tow row 2016 / Bronze / Commissioned 2016 to mark the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Gallery of Modern Art. This project has been realised with generous support from the Queensland Government, the Neilson Foundation and Cathryn Mittelheuser AM through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / © Judy Watson / Photo: N Harth, QAGOMA

Judy Watson / Waanyi people, Australia QLD b.1959 / tow row 2016 / Bronze / Commissioned 2016 to mark the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Gallery of Modern Art. This project has been realised with generous support from the Queensland Government, the Neilson Foundation and Cathryn Mittelheuser AM through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / © Judy Watson / Photo: N Harth, QAGOMA / View full image

Jimmy Donegan / Pitjantjatjara and Ngaanyatjarra peoples, Australia b.1939-2022 / Pukara 2017 / Synthetic polymer paint on linen / The Glenn Manser Collection. Gift of Glenn Manser in memory of Martin Wardrop through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation 2018. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program / © Jimmy Donegan / Photo: N Umek, QAGOMA

Jimmy Donegan / Pitjantjatjara and Ngaanyatjarra peoples, Australia b.1939-2022 / Pukara 2017 / Synthetic polymer paint on linen / The Glenn Manser Collection. Gift of Glenn Manser in memory of Martin Wardrop through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation 2018. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program / © Jimmy Donegan / Photo: N Umek, QAGOMA / View full image

Teho Ropeyarn / Angkamuthi and Yadhaykana clans of the Apudthama Nation, Australia QLD b.1988 / Mandang Ikamba (Strength of a crocodile) 2020 / Vinyl-cut on paper / 230.2 x 124cm / Purchased 2021. Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Accession No: 2021.384 / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Teho Ropeyarn / Copyright Agency / Photo: M Campbell, QAGOMA

Teho Ropeyarn / Angkamuthi and Yadhaykana clans of the Apudthama Nation, Australia QLD b.1988 / Mandang Ikamba (Strength of a crocodile) 2020 / Vinyl-cut on paper / 230.2 x 124cm / Purchased 2021. Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Accession No: 2021.384 / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Teho Ropeyarn / Copyright Agency / Photo: M Campbell, QAGOMA / View full image

Lena Yarinkura / Kune and Rembarrnga people, Australia NT b.1961 / Jamu (dog) 2003 / Twined pandanus (Pandanus spiralis) and wood with natural pigments and PVA fixative / Purchased 2004. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation Grant / © Lena Yarinkura / Photo: QAGOMA

Lena Yarinkura / Kune and Rembarrnga people, Australia NT b.1961 / Jamu (dog) 2003 / Twined pandanus (Pandanus spiralis) and wood with natural pigments and PVA fixative / Purchased 2004. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation Grant / © Lena Yarinkura / Photo: QAGOMA / View full image

David Marpoondin / Wik-Ngathan and Wik-Me'an people, Australia QLD b.1968 / Ku' (Camp dog) 2010 / Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal, synthetic polymer paint and acrylic binder / Purchased 2010 with funds from the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Diversity Foundation through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © David Marpoondin / Photo: N Harth, QAGOMA

David Marpoondin / Wik-Ngathan and Wik-Me'an people,
Australia QLD b.1968 / Ku' (Camp dog) 2010 / Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal, synthetic polymer paint and acrylic binder / Purchased 2010 with funds from the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Diversity Foundation through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © David Marpoondin / Photo: N Harth, QAGOMA / View full image

Jack Bell / Wik-Mungkan people, Australia QLD b.1950 / Ku' (Camp dog) 2010 / Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with synthetic polymer paint / Purchased 2010 with funds from the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Diversity Foundation through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © Jack Bell / Photo: QAGOMA

Jack Bell / Wik-Mungkan people, Australia QLD b.1950 / Ku' (Camp dog) 2010 / Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with synthetic polymer paint / Purchased 2010 with funds from the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Diversity Foundation through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © Jack Bell / Photo: QAGOMA / View full image

Roderick Yunkaporta / Wik-Mungkan people, Australia QLD b.1948 / Scratching ku' (camp dog) 2010 / Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal and acrylic binder / Purchased 2010 with funds from the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Diversity Foundation through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © Roderick Yunkaporta / Photo: N Harth, QAGOMA

Roderick Yunkaporta / Wik-Mungkan people, Australia QLD b.1948 /
Scratching ku' (camp dog) 2010 / Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal and acrylic binder / Purchased 2010 with funds from the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Diversity Foundation through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © Roderick Yunkaporta / Photo: N Harth, QAGOMA / View full image

Garry Namponan / Wik-Alkan and Wik-Ngatharr people, Australia QLD b.1960 / Yellow-patched camp dog 2006 / Carved milkwood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint / Purchased 2007. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © Garry Namponan / Photo: N Harth, QAGOMA

Garry Namponan / Wik-Alkan and Wik-Ngatharr people, Australia QLD b.1960 / Yellow-patched camp dog 2006 / Carved milkwood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint / Purchased 2007. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © Garry Namponan / Photo: N Harth, QAGOMA / View full image

Exhibitions

Current and upcoming First Nations exhibitions

YouTube

Additional Resources

Online

Researching Family History

  •

    Who’s Your Mob?

    Tracing your First Nations family history and don't know where to start? Discover key resources for family history research with the State Library of Queensland. The State Library of QLD developed the Who's Your Mob video guides with the support of Telstra and the Deadly Digital Communities initiative, helping to develop digital skills through exploring family history.

    Read On

  • AIATSIS Family History

    AIATSIS have a range of resources to assist you with your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family history research. They can also help you find information in the AIATSIS collection and other collections in Australia.

    Read On