Aboriginal art in Melbourne

Melbourne is home to a many Aboriginal art galleries showcasing the diverse culture and rich history of Australia's first people.

Public galleries

Birrarung Gallery At Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Get an insight into the lives of Victorian Aboriginal people at Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre's Birrarung Gallery. The gallery's incredible feature piece 'Wurreka' contains 74 panels of etched designs along a wall that each reflect imagery from the Aboriginal heritage and landscapes of Victoria. Get a national view through the diverse collections of 'Many Nations' which features digital labels that reveal the story of around 500 artefacts from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia.

Koorie Heritage Trust
For an understanding of the artwork and cultural objects in Victoria and South-East Australia, visit the Koorie Heritage Trust at Federation Square, where local Victorian Aboriginal history and art is key. The Trust's gallery spans traditional and contemporary works, from carved emu eggs through to photography and ceramics. Its picture collection features around 900 paintings including those of Melbourne Aboriginal leaders William Barak and Tommy McRae.

Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
Next door to the Koorie Heritage Trust is the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. The Centre holds a range of Indigenous art and artefacts from Australia's cultural regions from the Torres Strait to Tasmania and Victoria through to the Kimberley. The Indigenous gallery is categorised into four different architecturally designed sections: fire, water, earth and wind, each with Dreaming associations and ancestral narratives.

Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Just over an hour from Melbourne, the art gallery at Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre features a range of works in traditional, contemporary and abstract forms from both Victorian and national Indigenous artists.

Buying Aboriginal art

To ensure the artwork you're buying is ethically produced and sold, visit recommended galleries and see the City of Melbourne's buyer's checklist