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.

APY Lands Aboriginal Art - Art Centres, Galleries and Buy Online

The APY Lands - Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands - cover more than 103,000 square kilometres of remote South Australia in the northwest of the state, bordering the Northern Territory and Western Australia. This is the traditional country of the Anangu people, whose language groups include Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, and it is one of Australia's most significant regions for contemporary Aboriginal art. Communities are scattered across this vast country, each with its own distinct artistic tradition and connection to country.

The art centres of the APY Lands

There are seven established art centres on the APY Lands, each 100% Anangu owned and operated. They are the primary source of non-government income in their communities and the living heart of cultural transmission across generations. None operate their own direct online retail stores - their work reaches collectors through specialist galleries and exhibitions.

Ernabella Arts - Pukatja

Ernabella Arts at Pukatja (Ernabella) is Australia's oldest continuously operating Aboriginal art centre, established in 1948. Beginning with hand-loomed woven fabrics and floor rugs in a distinctive walka (design) style, the centre now supports a diverse group of artists working in painting, ceramics and printmaking across all generations. Works by Ernabella artists are held in major public collections across Australia and internationally.

Tjala Arts - Amata

Tjala Arts at Amata was established in 1997 and is one of the most internationally recognised art centres in Australia. Known for vibrant colour and energetic mark-making, Tjala artists have won the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards and are held in every major public institution in Australia. Artists include the Ken Sisters - Yaritji Young, Freda Brady, Sandra Ken, Maringka Tunkin and Tjungkara Ken - alongside Mick Wikilyiri, Iluwanti Ken and many others.

Tjungu Palya - Nyapari

Tjungu Palya at Nyapari supports artists from the communities of Nyapari, Kanpi and the surrounding homelands including Watarru. Established in 2006, the art centre has grown into a dynamic and innovative space where artists paint their deep connections to the Musgrave Ranges country. Works carry the ancestral journey stories of this remote and spectacular landscape.

Mimili Maku Arts - Mimili

Mimili Maku Arts at Mimili community is known for dynamic desert painting with a strong abstract quality and distinctive colour palette. The art centre has developed a successful photography and new media program alongside its painting practice. Artists at Mimili include Tuppy Goodwin, whose work won the Hadley's Art Prize for landscape painting in 2022.

Kaltjiti Arts - Fregon

Kaltjiti Arts at Fregon (Kaltjiti) was established in the mid-1970s in the wake of Ernabella Arts and represents artists from one of the larger communities on the APY Lands. Located approximately 65km from Ernabella, Kaltjiti artists work across painting and craft practice with strong connections to women's stories and country.

Iwantja Arts - Indulkana

Iwantja Arts at Indulkana is a Yankunytjatjara art centre named after the creek where the community was first established. Located approximately 575km south of Alice Springs, Iwantja artists carry the stories of the Indulkana Ranges and the eastern section of the APY Lands in their work.

Ninuku Arts - Kalka and Pipalyatjara

Ninuku Arts is the most remote of the APY Lands art centres, supporting artists from Kalka and Pipalyatjara - two small communities approximately 200km southwest of Uluru. The art centre takes its name from the Ninu Tjukurpa (bilby songline) that passes through Kalka, and represents some of the most geographically isolated artists in Australia.

Engaging with APY Lands art

Visiting the APY Lands requires a permit and is not accessible to the general public. The art centres do not operate direct online retail stores. Their work reaches collectors through specialist galleries, major exhibitions including Tarnanthi at the Art Gallery of South Australia, and through specialist dealers with direct community relationships.

Art by Farquhar

Art by Farquhar is one of Australia's specialist galleries for APY Lands art, working directly with artists and their families from communities including Pukatja (Ernabella), Watarru and surrounding country. Artists represented include Rhoda Tjitayi, Susan Tjitayi, Janice Stanley, Teresa Baker Tunkin and others whose work carries the stories and Dreaming of this extraordinary country.

All works come with a Certificate of Authenticity and free worldwide shipping i