Initiatives of Change Australia presents its annual charity fundraising art auction. 'Painted Stories' Women of the Central Australian Desert'  features First Nations female artists from the Central Australian Desert. including Gracie Morton, Mary Dixon, Kate Petyarre, Lynette Granites and Bessie Pitjara (Purvis Petyarre).

As the oldest continuous culture on earth, Australia's First Nations people have been living on this soil for thousands of years. They’ve also been making art — first on rocks, in what is considered some of the world’s oldest displays of art. The form and content of early images was based on sand mosaics, drawn on sand or painted on bodies and sacred objects.

This extraordinary culture can now be seen through contemporary Australian Aboriginal artwork on canvas. Unique in style, and often tied to significant parts of  an artist’s land, kinship or totem, each work tells its own story. The artworks express the beauty of women’s business: ways of knowing, healing and loving Country. On the surface, these painted stories delight the eye with soft kinetic textures, a vibrant interplay of glowing hues and intricate patterns. But these sophisticated paintings also express insightful cultural information, aerial perspectives, seasonal patterns, maps of landmarks and cues used for collecting water, food and plants for ceremony and healing. Scroll down to view art work, bid and/or register to attend auction.

The Initiatives of Change Australia Aboriginal Art Auction 2022 is, through the Trustbuilding Program, empowering First Nations voice, self-determination, reconciliation and healing. Developed in partnership with First Nations Leaders - the Trust Building Program aims to support communities in times of conflict and social upheaval.  (Intercultural Innovation Award winning) Trust Building Program.

Note: The artworks on sale have been ethically sourced. Read More

In the spirit of reconciliation, IofCA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.