Art Gallery of New South Wales

 

The Art Gallery of New South Wales, one of Australia's most prominent galleries has an exceptional collection. I discovered an incredible work of art in an online review of their collection, the Yirrkala Bark Petitions (1963), created on tree bark from the artists of the Yirrkala community in northern Australia. The Yirrkala Bark Petitions exemplify both the artistic skill of the artists as well as their ability to convey a request for the Commonwealth Government of Australia to respect Aboriginal land rights. Therefore, the Yirrkala Bark Petitions are both art and history. The part that I like the most is that these examples of Aboriginal art demonstrate that art can serve a greater purpose than simply as decoration. Instead, art can tell a story, protect culture, and even influence social change. While the Art Gallery of New South Wales has works from both Europe and Asia as well as from contemporary artists, the Yirrkala Bark Petitions represent the link between justice and identity in Aboriginal art. When visitors have finished viewing the exhibits at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, they can find comfort in the cafe, dine at the restaurant, or shop in the gift shop, but the lasting impression for me will be the Yirrkala Bark Petitions. They illustrate how Aboriginal voices are powerful and how deeply ingrained the connection is between art and life.

Podcast