For many years, I've been intending to visit the National Gallery to view its collections, rather than being drawn by the frequent blockbusters. At last I managed to do just that. I began by walking around the Aboriginal Memorial, 200 hollow log ceremonial coffins, one for each year of white invasion, arranged on a winding path representing the Glyde River in the Northern Territory. The coffins are “a forest of souls” and a “war memorial for all those Aboriginal people who died defending their country.” Forty-three artists – bark painters, sculptors and weavers – were involved in creating the coffins.
Upstairs, I was face to face with a huge sculptured representation of a Mandjabu, a traditional fish trap from the Maningrida Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory, which translates woven fibre into cast aluminium. Then the galleries opened before me: objects and paintings in the rich earth colours of the heart of Australia, many created by Unknown and a few communally.
Djambu Burra Burra: Big crocodile
If you want to look at Aboriginal art more deeply than I presume to do here, you can begin by browsing the National Gallery of Australia's website.
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snippetsandsnaps 
What a difference a year makes! I loved this post, Meg 🙂
In case my comment on the other one doesn’t turn up, I was saying that your Polish seems to be getting there? Is it still as hard to follow conversation? Monday hugs!
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What on earth makes you think my Polish is getting there??? If only!
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The linked post might make it clearer but my comment disappeared so I think it might be in your spam 😦 Or maybe just wishful thinking about the Polish 🙂 🙂
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You were in the spam bin, goodness knows why! I’ve released you, and greet you in the free world with a hug!
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Yay! Restored and renewed! Can you do anything with the weather? 🙂 🙂
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Blimey Charlie, you’re demanding!!
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🙂 🙂
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The NGA is truly a treasure trove and I made 3 visits there when we house sat in Canberra and would always make it a number one place to visit. You have captured the forest of souls so well I found it very poignant that the amazing Aboriginal culture is not given the respect it deserves.
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Lovely. I agree that the forest of souls is stunning, but it’s all fascinating.
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It is a wonderful gallery but I didn’t take any photos inside as I had to give my bag to security so didn’t have a camera. I could have spent a long time in here, but wasn’t alone and it is a place where I’d like to be on my own. There is such a lot to take in. I loved the woven baskets. The galleries and museums in Canberra are magnificent (and free) and well worth visiting.
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Crowds are a turn off. I spent a bit of time dodging school groups. Latish afternoon is probably the best time. I didn’t spend long enough there – I’ve always envied a friend who worked just across the road and could pop in at lunchtime.
Poland taught me you could photograph in art galleries. Now I always ask. Best response? “We don’t usually allow it, but your photos won’t be much good with that camera.” That was Nowra.
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We went on a Saturday and it was practically empty, but I was with son and granddaughter who had other things to do 😉
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You win, Meg, hands down! 🙂 Those ‘coffins’ are a thing of beauty. I love the way they’re laid out in a forest! The NGA looks a real treasure trove.
Are you maintaining discipline on the blogging? You do seem to be 🙂 Mine isn’t so easy to navigate since I went Premium so I’m going to be naughty and send you some trees.
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Thanks for the trees. I did go looking, but didn’t find them. Trying to be disciplined at the expense of commenting on everything by my favourite bloggers and over-pressing the “like” button.
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I understand 🙂 You have a life.
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Beautiful and thought provoking Meg thank you, I’ve never seen work like this, so intricate. There is so much to love, the forest of souls is stunning. I find the hooded figures disturbing though.
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Racism is alive and well here – in Potato Point, one of my son’s Aboriginal mates is thinking of moving because the “new” inhabitants, the entitled ones, don’t respond to his g’days and his son doesn’t like walking up the street “because they’ll think I’m casing the joint.” A few years ago violence against Aboriginal residents in a nearby town was accompanied by KKK graffiti.
I too love the intricacy of Aboriginal dot paintings and cross hatching.
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I agree with you Gilly, those hooded figures are sinister looking, but the costumes themselves are quite beautiful.
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What a fantastic show to see. That Fiona Foley work is sensational. Thanks for your photos of the rich works in the exhibition. I really enjoyed your post.
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I’ve only scraped the surface, and I’m so glad I finally got round to what’s been a plan for years!
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Wonderful post.
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