The Yiribana Gallery, sponsored by Qantas, is one of the largest spaces in Australia dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and displays one of the broadest collections in the country. The collection is particularly renowned for its bark paintings and objects from Arnhem Land, most of it acquired in the late 1950s and 1960s. Notable among these is the group of 17 pukumani grave posts from Melville Island, commissioned, purchased and gifted to the Gallery by Dr Stuart Scougall. They were among the 200 items given to the Gallery by Dr Scougall between 1957 and 1964. Scougall also donated outstanding examples of bark paintings on subjects such as a the creation beliefs of the Dhuwa and Yirritja clans and certain pieces that are regarded as unique or pre-eminent examples of their kind. There have been a number of other significant donors to the Aboriginal collection. Between 1987 and 1990 Emertius Professor Harry Messel gave 32 bark paintings and five objects to the collection. The Mollie Gowing Acquisition fund for Contemporary Aboriginal Art was established in 1992, helping the Gallery to keep pace with the tremendous growth in the burgeoning field which has included Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Ian Abdulla, Judy Watson and many others. As important private collections of early Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art continue to be released through the auction houses and the art practice among contemporary Aboriginal artists becomes more recognised and sought after, the Friends of Yiribana is fulfilling an increasingly vital role in enriching the collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. For more information contact:
Aboriginal Collection Benefactors Coordinator, Bambi Blumberg (02) 9225 1601 Download the Foundation Application Form (PDF, 60 KB) (The Art Gallery of New South Wales Foundation is the Gallery’s major acquisition fund and umbrella organisation for all Gallery benefactor groups.) | 
