Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Australia's largest First Nations art fair on Larrakia Country (Darwin) & Online. Explore art from over 70+ Art Centres.

The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) is an annual event that showcases the contemporary fine art of more than 70 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Centres. The Fair is held in Darwin, on Larrakia Country. DAAF provides a unique opportunity for arts industry buyers, and art and design lovers, to purchase art directly from Indigenous owned and incorporated Art Centres. The Fair showcases th

e work of emerging and established artists, featuring stunning art inspired by Australia’s most varied locations – from remote desert and coastal regions, to rural and urban communities. A wide range of styles, mediums and products are presented and available for purchase: paintings on canvas, bark paintings, works on paper including limited edition prints, sculpture, didgeridoos, fibre art and cultural regalia. DAAF also provides a creative space for visitors to meet artists in person, to learn about Australia’s rich diverse cultural groups and to be immersed in our country’s evolving contemporary Indigenous art scene. The Fair was originally conceived to complement the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA). It also celebrates the National Indigenous Music Awards and Garma Festival and proudly sits under the umbrella of the Darwin Festival. These prestigious events are held in the same period and together, mark the most significant national festival of national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts in the world. DAAF boasts a vibrant program of artist workshops, spectacular traditional dance performances, children’s activity stations, film, fashion and more… guaranteeing a memorable experience for all who attend. Come and engage with the contemporary creations of the oldest continuous living culture in the world!

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Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair’s Social Media Terms and Conditions:

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair’s social media channels are a hub for people to support and celebrate the rich cultural and artistic diversity of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Centres. On our channels you’ll find announcements and visual content (images and videos) that showcases our annual programs, activities, platforms and events as well as general information about Art Centres, partners, sponsors and Indigenous visual arts peak bodies. A gentle reminder that posts in the comment sections on any Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair social media platforms are not representative of the opinions of Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair. We encourage the expression of opinions and open discussion, but we do ask our followers or visitors to our profile to understand our social media values:

- Acknowledges and values the Traditional Owners of the land;

- Values and respects Indigenous-owned Art Centres in their support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, design and cultural expressions;

- Values the diversity, integrity and expression of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and designers and will support this through ethical best practice, education and promotional activity;

- Values the inclusion of diverse opinions and respectful communications;

- Values the history and significant achievements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and design industry. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair will not tolerate posts that contain the following:

- Violent, obscene, profane, hateful, derogatory, illegal or racist comments, content, links or images or incite such comments or behaviour;

- Comments that threaten or defame any person or organisation;

- Repetitive posts copied and pasted or duplicated by single or multiple users;

- Offensive, inaccurate, false, misleading or deceptive comments or content;

- Material which infringes third party intellectual property rights;

- Any inappropriate content that Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair deems to be harmful to individuals or its community. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair will hide, delete or report such user posts, and in extreme circumstances of misconduct, report the user to Facebook. Users who do not comply with this policy may also be blocked from following Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair’s social media profiles.

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Acknowledgement of Country

The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation acknowledges the value, diversity and integrity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, design, music and performance as an integral expression of Australian culture and we respect the work of Art Centres in their support of the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural aspirations and expressions. We acknowledge the many Traditional Owners of the lands from which our Art Centres, artists and designers work and reside on. We acknowledge the Larrakia people, both past and present, as the Traditional Owners of the land upon which the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation will present events. We appreciate the opportunity to share this Country and are committed to working together and appropriately consulting with the Larrakia people, and other relevant Traditional Owners in presenting the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation’s activities, events and programs.

Revisiting some of the stunning works that sold during DAAF Online earlier in the month. A reminder that many of the Art...
05/09/2026

Revisiting some of the stunning works that sold during DAAF Online earlier in the month. A reminder that many of the Art Centre's involved have online stores you can visit year round 👀

This piece, 'Yankuljunku', is by artist Nyungawarra Ward from Warakurna Artists.

"I am painting Yankuntjuntju. It is my Grandmother’s Country, close to Patjarr. There’s a rockhole close. I like to paint my story, my Grandfather’s, my Grandmother’s. My Father’s Mother passed away at that rockhole, that is why I’m painting. My Grandmother had two sons, two daughters. [She] passed away right there, rockhole side. I also paint Karrku, that’s my Nyal-ku Tjukurrpa, (my dreaming) Porcupine dreaming in that place. I think about these stories and my family when I am painting. Proper story. Painting keeps my family, and these stories close to me." - Nyungawarra Ward

Thank you to each and every Art Centre for making the 20th DAAF so special 🖤 📷️  Gab Titui Cultural Centre by Leicolhn M...
05/09/2026

Thank you to each and every Art Centre for making the 20th DAAF so special 🖤

📷️ Gab Titui Cultural Centre by Leicolhn McKellar Photography

Revisiting some of the stunning works that sold during DAAF Online earlier in the month. A reminder that many of the Art...
04/09/2026

Revisiting some of the stunning works that sold during DAAF Online earlier in the month. A reminder that many of the Art Centre's involved have online stores you can visit year round 👀

This piece, 'Inkwareny Anengkerr (Honey Ant Dreaming)', is by artist Loretta Penangk Morton from Inkwareny Artists & Op Shop of Yuelamu.

"In the Dreamtime, the ancestors travelled from Inkwareny (honey ant place) to Ilpereny (North Pine Hill station). Anmatyerr, Alyawarr and Warlpiri people share this Inkwareny (honeyant) Anengkerr (dreaming) connected to different significant places."

“They came back to Yuelamu. From Yuelamu, they went to Yuendumu and past Yuendumu. They got wet and got to Wanukurru-parnta (the tree is named Wanukurru), and they returned to Yuelumu. They lived here. All of them were women.”

Thank you to each and every Art Centre for making the 20th DAAF so special 🖤 📷️ Yinjaa-Barni Art by Leicolhn McKellar Ph...
02/09/2026

Thank you to each and every Art Centre for making the 20th DAAF so special 🖤

📷️ Yinjaa-Barni Art by Leicolhn McKellar Photography

Revisiting some of the stunning works that sold during DAAF Online earlier in the month. A reminder that many of the Art...
01/09/2026

Revisiting some of the stunning works that sold during DAAF Online earlier in the month. A reminder that many of the Art Centre's involved have online stores you can visit year round 👀

This piece, 'Walka Wiru Ngura Wiru', is by artist Kaylene Miller from Ninuku Arts.

"Walka Wiru Ngura Wiru means lovely Country, lovely drawing. This is a painting is a composition of dot patterns inspired by the sandy desert features around the Tompkinson ranges of Pipalyatjara, Kalka, and Irrunytju communities where Ninuku artists work."

Loved seeing the echidnas from Elcho Island Arts at DAAF this year!📷️ by Leicolhn McKellar Photography
31/08/2026

Loved seeing the echidnas from Elcho Island Arts at DAAF this year!

📷️ by Leicolhn McKellar Photography

Revisiting some of the stunning works that sold during DAAF Online earlier in the month. A reminder that many of the Art...
30/08/2026

Revisiting some of the stunning works that sold during DAAF Online earlier in the month. A reminder that many of the Art Centre's involved have online stores you can visit year round 👀

This piece, 'Tjulpu – Bird', is by artist Sheena Dodd from Mimili Maku Arts.

"There are many types of tjulpu (desert birds) that live on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands. Here I have painted some of them. They are very beautiful to watch and listen to. Each type of (bird) tjulpu has it’s own story, just like every other animal from across our lands. I often sit with my mother and listen to the birds tell us their stories." - Sheena Dodd

Kerkar Kus Dance Team at the DAAF Opening Ceremony ✨️📷️ by Leicolhn McKellar Photography
26/08/2026

Kerkar Kus Dance Team at the DAAF Opening Ceremony ✨️

📷️ by Leicolhn McKellar Photography

Revisiting some of the stunning works that sold during DAAF Online earlier in the month. A reminder that many of the Art...
25/08/2026

Revisiting some of the stunning works that sold during DAAF Online earlier in the month. A reminder that many of the Art Centre's involved have online stores you can visit year round 👀

This piece, 'The Barramundi Dreaming' is by artist Zachary Stack from
Warmun Art Centre.

"Inspired by the Barramundi Dreaming story shared with Zachary Stack by his great-grandmother, the late Gija artist Lena Nyadbi OAM. Carrying forward this important Ngarrangkarni (Dreamtime), Zachary presents the story through his own artistic voice while honouring the cultural knowledge passed down through his family.

The repeated white forms represent the scales of the barramundi, scattered across Country. The clustered forms represent the place where the Argyle Diamond Mine was established.

In Gija tradition, this Country carries an ancient Dreaming, where the barramundi’s scales became the pink diamonds found within the land.

The story ia a reminder that Country holds a much deeper history, one that has existed since the beginning of the time. Surrounding this place are the Ancestors, whose presence continues to watch over and protect the land. Their enduring connection to Country reflects the strength of Gija Law, culture, and Ngarrangkarni, reminding us that these stories remain alive and continue to guide future generations.

Through this painting, Zachary honours his family’s artistic legacy while sharing Gija stories in his own emerging voice. His work reflects the enduring relationship between Ancestors, Country, and culture, carrying forward the knowledge entrusted to him by his Elders for generations to come."

Revisiting some of the stunning works that sold during DAAF Online earlier in the month. A reminder that many of the Art...
24/08/2026

Revisiting some of the stunning works that sold during DAAF Online earlier in the month. A reminder that many of the Art Centre's involved have online stores you can visit year round 👀

This piece, Kungkarrangkalpa' (Seven Sisters) – Wanarn, is by artist Joy Nginana Lyons from Papulankutja Artists.

"The painting depicts the Wanarn chapter of the Kungkarrangkalpa (Seven Sisters) Tjukurrpa, an important women’s story travelling across the Ngaanyatjarra Lands and wider Western Desert.

Along this section of the songline, the sisters flee eastward across Country while being pursued by Yurla (Wati Nyiru), a powerful ancestral man associated with the constellation Orion. In the Wanarn region the sisters are known as Kungkarrangkalpa, meaning “many sisters”, and the story is carried through significant rock formations, caves, waterholes and ceremonial sites that remain visible in the landscape today.

As the sisters travel through places such as Tjitjipirnitjunku, Kunangurra, Wilurrampal and Kungkarrangkal, Yurla continues chasing them, attempting to trap and capture them. He hides in caves, watches from the hills and uses magic and trickery to pursue the women across the desert. At Kunangurra the sisters shelter in a cave before flying onward to escape him once again.

The Wanarn songline holds deep cultural significance for Ngaanyatjarra families connected to this Country. The story maps both ancestral events and living kinship ties across generations. The rockholes, hills, caves and trees throughout the landscape are understood as evidence of the sisters’ travels and the actions of Yurla during the Tjukurrpa.

Today the story continues to be told through painting, song, dance and travel on Country. Artists paint these places not only as remembered ancestral sites, but as living cultural landscapes connected to family, law and identity."

Words courtesy of Papulankutja Artists.

Address

Darwin Convention Centre, Waterfront Precinct
Darwin, NT

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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