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Alice Springs, Papunya, Utopia and Yuendumu

Central Desert

The country where contemporary Aboriginal painting on canvas began, and where Dreaming narratives are mapped as if seen from above.

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About this country

The Central Desert covers the vast arid country radiating out from Mparntwe (Alice Springs) — taking in Papunya, Yuendumu, Utopia, Haasts Bluff and Kintore.

It was at Papunya in 1971 that senior men began transferring ceremonial ground designs onto board, an act that opened the contemporary Aboriginal art movement and changed Australian art permanently. Works from this country are typically read as aerial maps of Country: concentric shapes, connecting paths and fields of dotted infill that both describe and protect the Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) held by the artist.

Language groups of the region include Luritja, Pintupi, Warlpiri, Anmatyerre, Arrernte and Alyawarr. Utopia in particular is known for batik and for a looser, gestural approach to paint, while Warlpiri work from Yuendumu is often built from bold linear structure and high-key colour.

Available now

Art from Central Desert

78 works currently held. Enquire about any piece and we will send full details and a delivered price.

The people

Artists from this country

Margaret Boko

Margaret Boko

Arrernte, Pitjantjatjara, Luritja and English
Inkamala Block near Jay Creek

One Phoenix Arts acknowledges the Larrakia people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which our gallery stands, and pays respect to Elders past and present. We acknowledge the artists and their communities across the Northern Territory, the Kimberley and the deserts, who hold the stories in these works.