How is Aboriginal art authenticated at Art by Farquhar?

Every painting sold at Art by Farquhar comes with a Certificate of Authenticity documenting the artist, their community, the story behind the work, and provenance details. Art by Farquhar is a proud member of the Aboriginal Art Association of Australia (AAAA), which binds members to a strict code of conduct ensuring artists are treated fairly, transparently and with respect.

Where do Art by Farquhar's artists come from?

Art by Farquhar works directly with artists and their families from two of Australia's most significant Indigenous art regions: the Central Desert of the Northern Territory, including communities such as Willowra and Yuendumu; and the APY Lands of South Australia, home to artists from Ernabella (Pukatja), Watarru and surrounding homelands. The gallery has built direct relationships with artists over many years.

Can I buy Aboriginal art online from Art by Farquhar?

Yes. Art by Farquhar's full collection is available to purchase online at farquhar.art, with shipping available Australia-wide and internationally. Paintings can be purchased as unstretched canvas or stretched and ready to hang (stretching available for Adelaide customers). The gallery is also open in person at 1070 South Road, Edwardstown, South Australia.

What is the APY Lands and why is the art significant?

The Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands is an Aboriginal-owned area of approximately 103,000 square kilometres in the far north-west of South Australia. Artists from the APY Lands paint stories passed down through their families — Dreaming stories that connect people to their country, culture and ancestors. Art by Farquhar works closely with APY Lands artists including Janice Stanley, Rhoda Tjitayi, Susan Tjitayi and Renae Nakamarra Nelson.

How much does Aboriginal art cost at Art by Farquhar?

Art by Farquhar's collection ranges from small works under $500 through to major statement pieces over $10,000. Pricing reflects canvas size, artist reputation, complexity of the work and cultural significance. The gallery does not discount — prices reflect the genuine value of each work and the fair payment made directly to artists.

What is the Mamungari or Spirit Woman Dreaming?

Mamungari (also called Mamungari-Nya) is a creation story from the APY Lands describing Spirit Women travelling across country. It is a story passed down through family lineage and belongs to specific custodians. At Art by Farquhar, Renae Nakamarra Nelson — granddaughter of celebrated Papunya Tula artist Michael Jagamarra Nelson — paints the Mamungari story taught to her by her grandmother Manyitjanu Lennon.

What is the Pantu or Salt Lake story painted by Janice Stanley?

Pantu is the Pitjantjatjara word for salt lake. Janice Stanley, a third-generation artist from Ernabella in the APY Lands, paints the salt lakes near Mt Connor as part of the Seven Sisters creation story. Her distinctive contemporary style depicts these ancient lakes from a bird's eye view, using flowing lines and vibrant colour to capture the shimmering desert landscape.

What is the Piltati Tjukurpa story painted by Rhoda Tjitayi?

Piltati Tjukurpa is an ancestral creation story belonging to the Tjitayi family from Pukatja in the APY Lands. The story follows two sisters, Wanyinta and Alartjatjarra, who travelled Piltati with their husbands hunting and gathering food. Rhoda Tjitayi, born 1969, paints this story passed down from her grandmother. Rhoda's work is held in the collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Does Art by Farquhar offer art rental or consulting?

Yes. Art by Farquhar offers an art rental service for businesses and individuals in Adelaide looking to display original Aboriginal art in their space. The gallery also provides no-obligation art consultation for those looking to select works for home or commercial interiors. Contact the gallery at farquhar.art for more information.

Is Art by Farquhar an ethical Aboriginal art gallery?

Art by Farquhar is a member of the Aboriginal Art Association of Australia (AAAA), the national industry body committed to ethical and fair trade practices in Aboriginal art. The gallery works directly with artists and their families, ensures fair payment, and provides full provenance documentation with every work. The gallery does not source art from third parties or secondary markets.

Aboriginal Art in Adelaide - Galleries, Museums and Where to Buy

Adelaide has one of Australia's richest concentrations of Aboriginal art and culture, from major public institutions to specialist galleries. Here is a guide to where you can view and experience Aboriginal art across the city.

Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute

Located on Grenfell Street in the CBD, Tandanya is Australia's longest-running Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts centre. Named after the Kaurna word for the Adelaide Plains, Tandanya presents rotating exhibitions of visual art alongside music and performance. It is a cornerstone of Adelaide's cultural life and an essential starting point for anyone interested in Aboriginal art.

Art Gallery of South Australia

The AGSA on North Terrace holds one of the country's most significant collections of Aboriginal paintings. Every two years it hosts Tarnanthi, a major festival of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art that draws artists and collectors from across Australia and internationally.

South Australian Museum

Also on North Terrace, the South Australian Museum houses the world's largest collection of Australian Aboriginal cultural material - more than 3,000 objects across two floors including bark paintings, ceremonial objects and the celebrated Yuendumu school doors, painted in 1980 by Warlpiri artists from Yuendumu in the Northern Territory.

Flinders University Museum of Art (FUMA)

FUMA has collected and promoted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art since the early 1980s, with significant holdings including early Papunya boards and Utopia works. It remains one of Adelaide's most important institutional collections of Indigenous art.

JamFactory

Located in the West End on Morphett Street, JamFactory is a centre for contemporary craft and design that has presented significant Aboriginal exhibitions including works from the Ernabella Arts Ceramic Studio, Australia's oldest continuously running First Nations art centre.

Art by Farquhar

For those looking to purchase original Aboriginal paintings, Art by Farquhar is Adelaide's specialist gallery for Central Desert and APY Lands art.

Based at 1070 South Road, Edwardstown, the gallery works directly with artists and their families from communities including Willowra, Yuendumu, Utopia, Ernabella and Watarru. All works come with a Certificate of Authenticity and free worldwide shipping is available for buyers outside Adelaide.

Open

Monday to Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm
Saturday 10:00am to 1:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm to 3:00pm

Browse the full collection at farquhar.art.