Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Darwin at the beginning of August is one of the essential experiences on the Australian art calendar.
The main attraction is the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, often called “the Telstras” after the major sponsor, but there are enough exhibitions and activities to keep visitors busy for a week. Along with the signature event at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, there are the shows organised by two local dealers, Paul Johnstone and Matt Ward, under the label Salon Projects. There is the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, an annual survey of Tiwi art held at the Hilton Doubletree, the National Indigenous Fashion Awards, the Couture to Country fashion event, the National Indigenous Music Awards and various satellite exhibitions.
Most of this falls under the umbrella of the Darwin Festival, which runs from August 8-25. A visit made at any other time of year would not prove nearly so fruitful, but nobody leaves the festival feeling disappointed. Most visitors take away a vivid impression of the strength, diversity and sophistication of Indigenous culture.
It’s a week of celebration, with none of the racial animus that has been creeping up since the failure of the referendum on a Voice to parliament. Noli Rictor’s Kamanti, w.