We wanted to create a bridge between Indigenous Australians and their cultures and non-indigenous people from around the world.
At Provenance Arts we welcome and guide our visitors through an amazing world of Indigenous culture, art and wisdom. To know the provenance of something is to know its true origin, its source and be sure of its authenticity. At Provenance Arts we are dedicated to educating our visitors to understand the provenance or origins of any Indigenous arts and crafts on display.
We guarantee Provenance Arts is unlike any space you've been in before. It's so much more than an art gallery - we've combined shopping, exhibitions, learning opportunities, demonstrations, workshops, audio-visual, music plus a specialist Indigenous cultural tourism information service. The key point of difference is our 'Experience Space' with its diverse, inclusive and constantly changing offerings. See our information and photos below.
In a short time Provenance Arts has become a true hub for locals and visitors and only 2.4 km from the CBD it's easily accessible. Now, three months in and with 25 art centres involved and more requesting to join us we are getting rave reviews.
Streetscape - Provenance Arts - Know the Origin - 55 Stuart Highway, Stuart Park NT
Provenance Arts is an initiative of Injalak Arts
The guiding principle of Injalak Arts 'to share and teach our culture'
Injalak Arts is an Aboriginal owned community 'art centre' in Gunbalanya (Oenpelli) with DGR status. Drawing on 28 years experience running a very successful remote arts, culture and tourism social enterprise we opened Provenance Arts in July 2018 to showcase and share the many Indigenous cultures and art centres in remote Australia.
In the last 40 years there has been an explosion of creativity around Australia as Indigenous Australians gained access to contemporary art materials and opportunities to create fine art works and crafts. World wide acclaim and exposure has followed. Much of this activity has come from community "art centres" - non-profit artists' cooperatives - dotted around Australia in dozens of remote communities and towns. Injalak Arts has been amongst those at the forefront of this movement since 1989 and supports its members in creating and then marketing their distinctive arts and crafts.
Inspired by the ancient rock art in western Arnhem Land Injalak Arts is the home of 'x-ray art'. What is also special and unique about our art centre is that we have been creating outstanding cultural experiences for visitors both at the art centre and on guided tours of Injalak Hill rock art for more than 25 years. We really understand cultural tourism.
Isaac Girrabul, a trained local guide, takes visitors to injalak Hill to see ancient rock art
Gabriel Maralngurra, co-manager of Injalak Arts, painting contemporary art inspired by rock art
Why we created Provenance Arts to share Indigenous Australian cultures with you
Australian indigenous cultures are simultaneously ancient, enduring and contemporary. Being the oldest continuing cultures on earth they are precious to all humanity. Indigenous knowledge and belief systems has been there since time immemorial expressed in language, the landscape and through relationships and ceremonies. Embedded within Indigenous Australian cultures is deep wisdom, ways of seeing the world that have much to teach and enhance the lives of non-indigenous people. At this critical point in human history they can also make a critical contribution to creating a more sustainable and equitable world. Art making has revolutionised Indigenous people's ability to communicate their understandings and perceptions with non-Indigenous audiences - it's a language accessible to everyone.
Artists from Milingimbi visiting Provenance Arts showing artworks from their community
Yet at the same time mystery seems to shroud much of Indigenous Australia and its people. The population of Australia is concentrated in urban areas and along the coasts, far from where Indigenous people still speak their mother tongues. Few non-Indigenous Australians have had close encounters with Aboriginal people and many feel a bit awkward that they 'do not know anything about' Indigenous art and culture. Negative news stories get a lot of press and communities where many Indigenous Australians are generally remote and visitor access is restricted. Tourists venture to remote cities and towns, especially in the Northern Territory, hoping to have experiences with indigenous Australians but often leave disappointed.
There are few venues in Australia where interested people can feel comfortable to simply visit, observe, interact and learn from Indigenous Australians. Yet our people are extremely generous with their knowledge, they are patient teachers and welcome opportunities to share skills and cultural knowledge - we do this every day at Injalak Arts.
There are also many galleries and shops offering inauthentic and/or dubiously sourced 'Aboriginal art' for sale that confuse, or worse mislead, buyers. We believe it's critical to offer consumers an ethical alternative so that any interested person can be assured they 'know the origin' of the arts, crafts and merchandise available.
Our journey and what we've created
Injalak Arts has a strong business model - we have been trading strongly with increased growth and member participation in the last eight years, with self generated income rising from $650K in 2011 to $1.65M in 2018.
In late July 2018, after 18 months of work, Injalak Arts brought its expertise in education, customer service and creating a viable social enterprise to Darwin in the form of Provenance Arts. Stepping out as social impact entrepreneurs we have created an entirely new model for sharing the cultures of the Top End and remote Australia. We are getting used to the term 'game changer' being used to describe it.
Through Provenance Arts we explain to visitors how to 'know the origin' of Indigenous art.
Donna Nadjamerrek, our chairperson, speaking at the opening of Provenance Arts July 2018
Customers' responses to Provenance Arts
We are so grateful that the response to our new social enterprise has been so positive from the day we opened.
Do not miss a visit here “This is a very thoughtful space that manages to curate a number of different experiences under one roof. It feels like Provenance Arts is trying to educate not just sell. Meaningful connections are made between an art piece and the artist, their country and their stories.” Rachel Nolan - Trip Advisor October 2018
Exciting range – great work! “A terrific gallery space, retail outlet, film venue and bookshop – all in one! Loved the diversity and choice, from fine art through to small gifts, all ethically sourced! A must visit” S.L. Trip Advisor October 2018
Participating Art Centres
In July we started with 12 art centres, three months later we have 27!! Art centres understand and value that Provenance Arts is Aboriginal owned and that their arts and crafts will be presented with integrity and full acknowledgement of the artists. In three months we have generated a return of over $100,000 to art centres.
Northern Territory: Ali Curung, Ampiliwatja, Anindilyakwa, Babbarra Designs, Buku Larrnggay, Djilpin, Durrmu, Gapuwiyak, Injalak, Jilamara, Kalkarindji, Marrawuddi, Merrepen, Milingimbi, Ngarruwanajirri, Ngukurr, Tiwi Designs, Tjanpi, Warlukurlangu
Western Australia: Mangkaja, Spinifex Hill, Warakurna, Tjarlirli
South Australia: Ninuku, Victoria: Kaiela, Queensland: Girringun, Erub
Provenance Arts has a very wide range of hand-made ethical products for sale
Beautiful range of fair trade products from Better World Arts
Provenance Arts flexible exhibitions area with moveable walls
Provenance Arts Indigenous hand printed and hand dyed fabrics display - largest in Australia
Provenance Arts - owned by Injalak Arts
The guiding principle of Injalak Arts is "to share and teach our culture" and we have been doing this very effectively for more than 25 years from our art centre in the Australian bush in the remote community Gunbalanya (Oenpelli) 300 km east of Darwin.
Ourart centre in Gunbalanya (Oenpelli)
Every year we host thousands of visitors to Injalak Arts - and they tell us how much they love the experience. They leave us great feedback on Trip Advisor - 88 very positive reviews to be exact! They also tell us they wish there were more opportunities to experience and learn about Aboriginal cultures as they travel in the Northern Territory and around Australia. Many say Injalak Arts was the only place they could find. This is very disappointing considering Australia is rich in indigenous cultures.
Christine Nabobbob - Management Committee member, elder and craftswoman teaching
Selina Nadjowh, artist and printer, at work in the Injalak Arts' screenprint workshop
Injalak Arts is renowned for locally hand-screenprinting Indigenous designs on fabric - Sylvia and Selina showing how its done. We have a well stocked shop on Etsy with a fabulous range of authentic fabrics and crafts.
When it comes to buying Indigenous arts and crafts our customers also want to be sure that the money they spend benefits Aboriginal Australians and isn't for fake or exploitative products. Authenticity and ethics are foremost in many customers' minds. And for those who are not thinking about this, we want to help educate them.
As an Aboriginal owned Charity that has become renowned for social entrepreneurialism this got us thinking about how we could create something that would be more accessible to tourists and ordinary Australians in our nearest city: Darwin.
We wanted to create a bridge between Indigenous Australians and their cultures and non-indigenous people.
Gracie Kumbi and her beautiful sand palm design on Provenance Arts' windows.
"What you are doing is very important for Aboriginal people" Gracie Kumbi, Merrepen Arts
Provenance Arts is unlike any other enterprise in Australia. Our products and services are diverse and multi-sensory. We currently represent and carry stock from 25 remote community art centres. Operating from a vibrant, welcoming 450 sq m shopfront we have created a space filled with multi-sensory experiences. It's colorful and full of texture, good smells and sounds. There are even some opportunities to taste.
Provenance Arts Experience Space
How do we really learn about other cultures? Through experiences! A key point of difference is our generous sized and highly versatile ‘Experience Space’ that seats up to 50 people and is equipped with quality AV equipment and simple furniture. The space can be used for video and film screenings, workshops and presentations, meetings and more . In addition we have a Music NT listening station plus plus a children’s area. Only three months open we have already developed relationships with CDU and its Children’s University program, schools within the NT and interstate and tour operators around Australia.
Ananguku Arts SA committee members visiting our space in August and enjoying the AV
David Batty, film maker and co-creator of Bush Mechanics sharing stories September 2018
Heads down! Participants in a ghost net weaving workshop delivered by Anindilyakwa Arts from Groote Eylandt
Why Darwin?
Darwin is the logical place to expect to meet Indigenous Australians and learn about their many cultures. After all, the Northern Territory is home to dozens of Aboriginal language groups and has many remote communities dotted around the outback where the residents are custodians of the most ancient living cultures on earth. With a highly visible indigenous population you’d think there were numerous opportunities to engage with First Australians. Disappointingly this is not the case and many people leave the NT disappointed.
Darwin is a key gateway to the NT and draws visitors from around Australia and the world.
#fakeartharmsculture & #authenticartsupportsculture
Through the efforts of key organisations including Indigenous Art Code there is now a higher level of awareness of the problem of fake Aboriginal art. When non-Indigenous reproduce/fake Indigenous designs for commercial purposes it not only exploits and misrepresents Indigenous culture (because it is done without cultural knowledge or respect), it also robs livelihood opportunities from Indigenous artists and craftspeople. To change this we need to educate customers and also provide them with opportunities to buy authentic, provenanced Indigenous Australian art.
Post educating consumers about the influx of Indonesian made 'Indigenous Australian' souvenirs
Online shopping
We are taking Provenance Arts online! We already have a website and are currently working behind the scenes to get a web shop organised. It's a lot of work and cost.
Injalak Arts already has a strong online sales presence through these platforms: Injalak Arts online shop stocking paintings and our Etsy online shop with a great range of fabric, fabric products and smaller items.
Governance & Legal Structure
Provenance Arts is fully owned by Injalak Arts & Crafts Association Inc (NT) – trading as Injalak Arts. Established in 1989 with a charter to support the production and marketing of arts and crafts and deliver social and cultural support to members, membership is open to Kunwinjku speaking Aboriginal adults. In 2015 we were confirmed by the ATO as a registered charity with PBI and DGR status. A sub-committee of the Injalak Arts Management Committee plus the Management Team are responsible for the governance and oversight of Provenance Arts. Felicity Wright, Mentor Manager of Injalak Arts is also Mentor Manager for Provenance Arts. She has 30+ years experience with remote community art centres in management, curation, research, advocacy and also has a track record as a business management consultant specialising in Indigenous non-profits.
Sylvia, Anne, Priscilla, Gwenyth and Katra - management committee members, weavers and printers. Injalak Hill behind.
A map of Provenance Arts
Why we need support
But, it's early days and getting the doors open has been big work for a small Aboriginal-owned organisation from Western Arnhem Land. With a tiny amount of external funding to date (not for want of trying) we need your help to achieve sustainability. Supporting our crowdfunding campaign will make you a sustainer of a bold new social enterprise: Provenance Arts. Thank you!
The Rewards
We are thrilled to be able to offer very special rewards especially for this campaign - a range of 14 limited edition screen-prints on paper that have not been exhibited or offered for sale since 1999. They were created by eight Indigenous women artists. Images of the prints were used as slides by Fay Nelson, then Director Aboriginal Arts Board, Australia Council, in her keynote address at the conference on 'Aboriginal Fertility'. This was a landmark event.
The prints and the essay 'Aboriginal Fertility' are documented in the book Towards Reproductive Certainty - Fertility and Genetics beyond 1999 edited by Robert Jansen and David Mortimer with the assistance of Karen Coote, published by The Parthenon Publishing Group.
The prints were exhibited at the Sydney IVF Fertility Conference Sydney, 1999 Darling Harbour Conference Centre, Sydney.
We are delighted to be able to showcase Indigenous women artists as part of this campaign.
All the prints will be shipped with Certificates of Authenticity that have detailed stories for each of the prints. These are also available on request if you are considering pledging - we are mindful of not having too much text on the campaign page.
Gratitude
We want to acknowledge Red Hat Impact, The Funding Network, the Social Impact Investment Summit and Start Some Good for giving us the support and encouragement to prepare this campaign and help us take our projects to a much wider audience. Thanks guys.
We also want to thank Karen Coote for her incredibly generous donation of the outstanding limited edition prints we are offering as rewards. Karen has been a staunch supporter of Injalak Arts for years and has thrown her considerable energy into helping us launch and sustain Provenance Arts. She is a tireless advocate for remote Indigenous artists and art centres.
