Literature in our Collection
(M-Z)

McCulloch, Susan: Contemporary Aboriginal Art. A guide to the rebirth of an ancient culture, Allen and Unwin, St Leonards NSW 1999, ISBN 1864486317

Table of Contents        ¦         Cover Text        ¦         Book Review

Table of Contents

Margo Neale: Foreword -6-

Preface -10-

Introduction to Contemporary Aboriginal Art -15-

Central and Western Desert

Introduction -51-

Papunya -59-

Yuendumu -69-

Utopia -79-

Lajamanu -89-

Ernabella -93-

Hermannsburg -97-

Haasts Bluff -103-

The Kimberley

Introduction -109-

Warmun -115-

Kalumburu -123-

Blago -127-

Fitzroy Crossing -133-

Arnhem Land

Introduction -141-

Gunbalanya (Oenpelli) -153-

Maningrida -157-

Ramingining -163-

Yirrkala -171-

Melville Island -177-

Bathurst Island -183-

Galiwin'ku (Elcho Island) -187-

Ngukurr -191-

Urban and New Forms of Art -199-

A Buyer's Guide -211-

Directory of Arts Centres and Art Galleries -218-

Recommended Reading -225-

Endnotes -228-

Sources of Illustration -231-

Index -236-

Cover Text

Within one generation, new forms of traditionally based Aboriginal art have become Australia's most dynamic visual art practice. And one which has brought significant cultural revival and financial rewards to Australia's internationally based industry.

In 'Comtemporary Aboriginal Art: A Guide to the Rebirth of Traditional Art' art writer Susan McCulloch explores - through illustration and text - the differeing art styles of about twenty land-based communities in Arnhem Land, the Central Desert and the Kimberley, as well as developments among urban-based artists. There is also an extensive history of the development of this art and, within each region, biographies of major artists and practical information on the art's production and where best to see and buy it.

Book Review

"Contemporary Aboriginal Art" does indeed provide a guide to all the major non-urban Indigenous art movements up until 1999. It also includes some information about sources of inspiration, referencing anthropological work by Mountford and by Spencer. The illustrations are of excellent quality and hint at the richness of the art from each area, but the text is generally at an introductory level. Events since 1999 have very significantly expanded the range and depth of Indigenous art, reducing the value of this book.