Koskela Gallery
The Koskela Gallery is delighted to showcase a diverse range of First Nations artists and art centres from across Australia. As part of our commitment to reconciliation, our gallery space is a platform to recognise, respect and raise awareness of the important role community art centres and artists play in keeping culture strong.
2023
Previous exhibitions
DECEMBER 2023
Living off our waters
'Living off Our Waters' showcases captivating fish and stingray sculptures crafted from local materials, capturing the lively waters, rich community culture and earthy landscape colours
The fibre works are from two renowned Top End art centres: Maningrida Arts & Culture and Marrawuddi Arts & Culture.
OCTOBER 2023
'Dhapi en Ŋaraka', a series of vibrant works by Wally Wilfred
Wally's work fuses traditional techniques with bold, unexpected colours, narrating history, culture, and heritage, offering a unique contemporary Aboriginal art experience.
Located at Ngukurr Art Centre in South East Arnhem Land, Wally has been a central figure, with his art gaining acclaim and becoming highly collectible.
SEPTEMBER 2023
Spinifex Hill, paintings from the Pilbara
"Spinifex Hill, Paintings from the Pilbara," is a collaborative effort with Spinifex Hill Studio, an artist collective situated on Kariyarra Country in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
This exhibition celebrates the vibrant and unique works of five contemporary Pilbara female artists: Maywokka Chapman, Doreen Chapman, Nancy Nyanilpayi Chapman, Mulyatingki Marney, and Gladys Bidu.
Each artist's journey and connection to the land enrich their creations, reflecting their cultural heritage and experiences.
JUNE 2023
'Pukulpa' Joyful
Pukulpa means ‘joyful’. It’s a celebration of the colours and stories of the Kungka Kutjara Tjukurrpa: the Two Sisters Songline.
The exhibition featured works from three of the Northern Territory’s most talented female artists – Marlene Connelly, Rosalind Yibardi and Elsie Edimintja – all of whom have been painting at Tjarlirli & Kaltukatjara Art Centre, since the centre opened in 2016.
APRIL 2023
Kauboi en Kaugel Kantri by Jill Daniels
Kauboi en Kaugel Kantri (Cowboy and Cowgirl Country) includes 17 individual pieces that showcase Jill’s talents across multiple mediums – paintings on canvas, works on paper and sculpture. All the works depict important stories and moments from her childhood, growing up on the remote cattle stations of Ngukurr in South East Arnhem Land.
MARCH 2023
Ngarang (small): little Barks from the Top End
Ngarang is a collaborative exhibition, featuring a collection of miniature bark artworks from four art centres in Australia's Top End - Maningrida Arts & Culture, Injalak Arts, Marrawuddi Arts and Bula'Bula Arts.
For millennia, clan designs have been painted on bodies and ceremonial objects. In the twentieth century, these designs were painted on Stringy bark expressing the beauty and power of the artists culture and becoming highly collected art forms. Koskela’s latest exhibition Ngarang is an exhibition of these beautiful bark paintings in a miniature form by artists from Art Centres that span the Top End region.
JANUARY 2023
Minyma Kutjara - Two Women
Showing for the first time ever in Sydney, the Koskela Gallery presents Minyma Kutjara – Two Women, a striking collection of works by Norma Bryant and Eva Baker of Minyma Kutjara Arts Project.
The Minyma Kutjara tjukurpa (Two Women creation story) is an important dreaming which traces the landscape from the Western and Southern deserts of Australia, and tells the story of two sister’s epic journey as they travel home across the Lands.
The artists, Norma and Eva both hold strong connections to Minyma Kutjara tjukurpa and depict many aspects of the sisters journey through their Aboriginal paintings.
2022
Previous exhibitions
NOVEMBER 2022
Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming)
Ngapa Jukurrpa is a vibrant collection of works from the artists of Yuendumu. Exploring ancestral connections through water dreaming stories, Ngapa Jukurrpa is a celebration and expression of community and Country, showcasing the important knowledges and stories imbued within Walpiri paintings.
Contemporary Walpiri paintings depict traditional iconography through a range of brush strokes. Ngapa Jukurrpa offers a glimpse into these styles, focusing on the water stories of the Napangardi, Napanangka, Nangala, Nampijinpa, Nakamarra and Napurrurla women and Jangala, Jampijinpa, Jakamarra, Jupurrurla men. Short dashes are used to represent ‘mangkurdu’ (cumulus and stratocumulus clouds), and longer, flowing lines, represent ‘ngawarra’ (flood waters). Small circles are used to depict ‘mulju’ (soakages) and riverbeds.
JULY 2022
Ngadiku (a long time ago) by Tiarna Herczeg
Ngadiku is a body of work exploring the interconnectivity of flora and fauna that resides on Kuku Yalanji Country. Featuring a collection of vibrant works on birch, Tiarna Herczeg reflects upon their homelands and journey thus far as an emerging First Nations artist. Herczeg now lives and works on Gadigal lands, where they continue to explore the intimacy of Country and all that she offers.
Ngadiku – meaning, a long time ago, in Kuku Yalanji is a playful inspection of biodiversity. Herczeg has used scratchy, dry brushes and washed-out vibrant colors to highlight both the dryness and spiritual richness of Country. Herczeg works in an intuitive way, allowing the work to communicate for itself.
JUNE 2022
[re] connection
[re] connection is a celebration of culture, creativity, and Country. Featuring a collection of canvas works and hand-painted skateboard decks, Tylah explores and reflects upon his journey as a First Nations contemporary artist.
Tylah is a proud Gunditjmaraartist and educator from southwest Victoria currently living and working in Gunbalanya, a remote First Nations Community on the northern border of Kakadu National Park.
MAY 2022
STRONG TIWI: a series of paintings and carvings
STRONG TIWI showcases one of the oldest and most artistically diverse art centres in Australia –Tiwi Design. Featuring a curated collection of paintings and carvings, STRONG TIWI aims to promote the traditional and contemporary practices of Tiwi indigenous artists.
Tiwi Design is home to over 100 First Nations artists working across a range of mediums, including: canvas, bark, ironwood carvings, textiles, sculpture, and print. Looking particularly at ochre paintings and ironwood carvings, STRONG TIWI is an expression of Tiwi peoples and cultures with many of the works representing traditional Kulama and Pukumani ceremonies. The Kulama ceremony is an annual celebration that occurs towards the end of the wet season, involving three days and three nights of ritual body painting (Jilamara), singing, dancing and eating.
MARCH 2022
Frizzon by Michele Morcos
Frizzon captures the warmth of Australian landscapes, exploring the depth and diversity of bushland across the country. Frizzon is a reflective exercise, taking Michele back to her first love of the Australian landscape and memories of painting and drawing trips to the stunning traditional lands of the Malyankapa, Pandjikali, Wanyuparlku and Wilyakali peoples in Far Western NSW.
“In the past two years I have found comfort and a sense of calm in my studio-dreaming, reimagining, and painting landscapes of places I have visited in Australia. Beautiful spaces that make my soul happy filled with colour memories and a sense of light. I wanted to see if I could trigger a happy mental and emotional response in the here and now, without physically travelling and standing in these places, creating a type of virtual travel for these times of closed borders and lockdowns. A way of setting the mind free and opening your field of view, until we are able to travel again.” Michele Morcos
2021
Previous exhibitions
DECEMBER 2021
Cattle Station Christmas with Keringke Arts, Ngukurr Arts & Culture and Tangentyere Artists
Cattle Station Christmas highlights the significant role of First Nations peoples within the history of Australian cattle stations as local knowledge holders and traditional custodians of the land. This body of work playfully captures the rigours of station life from a First Nations perspective, featuring a series of sculptural pieces, canvases, and prints from across the Northern Territory.
Each artwork is a unique expression of the artists' experiences and memories of place with a few reoccurring motifs throughout, be on the lookout for windmills, cowgirl boots and hats! The proceeds from these works proudly support the community owned art centres. Each artwork comes with a certificate of authenticity.
SEPTEMBER 2021
Spirit In Bark
Spirit In Bark: a Celebration of Bark Art from Across Oceania, featuring works by Elcho Island Arts, Ömie Artists and Maningrida Arts & Culture. Spirit In Bark explores the diversity and beauty of this medium across three vibrant indigenous art centres, which span from Arnhem Land to Papua New Guinea.
Bark is a versatile medium both traditionally and in the contemporary art space. Bark can be stretched, whittled, carved and fused into cloth. Our latest exhibition, Spirit In Bark explores the diversity and beauty of this medium across three vibrant art centres, which span from Arnhem Land to Papua New Guinea. Despite the different approaches across the medium, the theme of respect and reverence for this natural, wild canvas is clear across the board.
AUGUST 2021
Prints & Poles by Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre
Featuring a collection of works from Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre, Prints & Poles showcases an array of larrakitj and works on paper including a selection of etchings, which highlight the culturally rich and diverse practice of Yolŋu artists and their traditional culture.
The Larrakitj had its traditional use for the Yolŋu people as an ossuary or bone container erected as a memorial to a dead kinsman up to a decade after death. A further role for this cultural form is as a fine art object and an instructional tool for younger generations.
JUNE 2021
Doreen Chapman: Looking, Looking, Painting.
'Looking, Looking, Painting', is a joyful collection of works by contemporary Pilbara artist, Doreen Chapman.
Doreen’s distinctive use of bright pastels and funky characterisations of animals, people and place are not only an expression of joy, but a portal into how she sees the world. As a deaf and non-verbal artist, Doreen uses her paints as a tool of communication which is clear through her emotive and endearing works.
APRIL 2021
Wuladhi Ruluj by Numbulwar Numburindi Arts
Wuladhi means light and Ruluj means shade in Nunggubuyu, encompassing the new collaboration between Koskela and Numbulwar Numburindi Arts. Fibre artists from Numbulwar harvest ghost nets, reclaimed fishing nets, from their shores to use in the weaving of these lampshades, baskets, dilly bags and accessories.
Marrying traditional weaving techniques with this colourful and contemporary material cleans up the oceans in a modern act of caring for Country, while preserving ancient weaving techniques of Indigenous people and passing on culture to future generations.
MARCH 2021
Warmun Art Centre present Ngaboo-lang
Ngaboo-lang, is a series of works by father-daughter painting duo, Rammey Ramsey and Kathy Ramsay of Warmun Art Centre. Marking their first collaborative series, Ngaboo-lang depicts Warlawoon Country land which Rammey has painted for decades. Through his practice, Rammey now passes on these motifs to his daughter, Kathy.
Rammey and Kathy are Gija artists living in the Juwurlinji community (Bow River), north of Warlawoon. Their works are forever imbued with the memory and longing for Warlawoon. Beyond depictions of place, this series of paintings act as a reminder of the impact of pastoral occupation on Gija homelands and indigenous people.
2020
Previous Exhibitions
NOVEMBER 2020
Yinarr Maramali: Gomeroi Dhigaraagal
Yinarr Maramali: Gomeroi Dhigaraagal shines a spotlight over the tradition and skill of Gomeroi yinarrgal (women) in regional New South Wales. Inspired by native dhigaraa (birds) and their stories, Gomeroi Dhigaraagal is a celebration of colour and community.
Showcasing an array of fibre pieces and selection of paintings by yinarr Amy Hammond, Lorrelle Munro, Bronwyn Spearim, Emily Honess and Sophie Honess, Gomeroi Dhigaraagal highlights the beauty of dhigaraa (birds) and their significance to Gomeroi stories and teachings.
SEPTEMBER 2020
Top End Bugi
The Koskela Gallery is overflowing with excitement to present to you Top End Bugi, our first bark show! A collaborative exhibition featuring bark art from three art centres in Australia’s Top End, Buku-Larrngay Mulka Centre, Maningrida Arts and Culture, and Ngukurr Arts Centre
AUGUST 2020
Mrs Lilly Ulah
At 80 years of age, Ulah’s talent was discovered in 2010 when the Coober Pedy Arts Project began running workshops.
“She painted her country. She came from our West, Spinifex country. When she sat down in Coober Pedy she painted (to remember), painted those tjukulas (waterholes), painted her country.”
- Johnny Ulah (Mrs Lilly Ulah’s son)
Bi-monthly exhibitions in the Koskela gallery
The Koskela Gallery is a dedicated space for work from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and community art centres. The gallery's aim is to increase the visibility and accessibility of Indigenous arts and cultures, Aboriginal art, and raise awareness of the role that artists and community art centres play in keeping Culture strong.
The Gallery presents six curated exhibitions throughout the year, focused on emerging art by Indigenous artists for new collectors.
All of our exhibitions spotlight an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artist or art centre. Koskela has developed strong relationships with artists and art centres through our social impact work, and we are proud to also support their art making practices. The talent of contemporary Indigenous artists is incredible, and their work is available at price points which are accessible to most people.
We've curated a selection of artworks that complement the ethos of our furniture and homewares. Shop original pieces by a wide variety of contemporary Australian artists and First Nations artists. Alternatively book a consult (In store, at-home or virtual) with one of Koskela's trained interior designers to get tailored advice. Shop all art
FAQ's
What is the significance of Aboriginal art and First Nations art?
Aboriginal art and First Nations art have a significant cultural, spiritual, and historical importance to the Indigenous people of Australia. Aboriginal art is one of the oldest forms of artistic expression in the world, with roots that date back 40,000 years. It is an integral part of the culture, spirituality, and identity of many Indigenous Australians and First Nations people.
How can I ethically buy Aboriginal art and First Nations art?
When buying Aboriginal art and First Nations art, it is important to ensure that the artist is being fairly compensated for their work. To ethically buy these works, you should patronise reputable galleries and dealers such as Koskela who are members of the Indigenous Art Code, and can source artwork from Aboriginal and First Nations artists directly. This ensures that the artist will receive fair market value for their work while avoiding any exploitation of the artist or their work.
What are some things to look for when purchasing ethically sourced Aboriginal art and First Nations art?
When purchasing ethically sourced Aboriginal art and First Nations art, there are a few important things to consider. Mainly, it is important to ensure that the artwork you are purchasing has been created by an artist from the Indigenous Australian community. If you are unable to verify this yourself, then it is best to purchase from a reputable dealer or gallery that have a policy in place for ensuring ethical sourcing of their works.
Why is it important to support ethical buying practices for Aboriginal art and First Nations art?
It is important to support ethical buying practices for Aboriginal art and First Nations art in order to help preserve the cultural and artistic heritage of Indigenous peoples throughout Australia. Aboriginal art has been used for thousands of years as a means of expressing spiritual beliefs, values, and stories. This form of artwork is an integral part of the culture and history of many Indigenous peoples across the continent.
How can I learn more about the artists behind Aboriginal art and First Nations art before making a purchase?
There are many ways to learn more about the artists behind Aboriginal art and First Nations art before making a purchase. One of the most important things a potential buyer can do is research the artist or art gallery in question. It is important to read up on what the artist or gallery has to offer as well as any reviews from other customers who have purchased works from them in the past. All artworks should come with a certificate of authenticity.
Want to know more? Read our journal on How to buy first nations art
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