Contemporary art from remote Australia
About
"We have always taken the approach that the best work comes from a place where the artists are happy and empowered to govern and operate their Art Centres as they see fit."
Leading gallerists Matt Ward and Paul Johnstone have joined forces to create Outstation Gallery. United by a shared vision for supporting and promoting world-class Aboriginal art, they work closely with Aboriginal-owned art centres to deliver exceptional and ethical art. Art enthusiasts can now experience the best of both galleries in one beautiful space on the Darwin harbour. This collaboration brings together two of Australia’s leading contemporary art gallerists, offering a new destination for art lovers.
A modern, flexible, beautifully-lit exhibition space, Outstation Gallery on the Waterfront, welcomes visitors and locals alike, encouraging respect and appreciation of the complex and powerful art, stories and culture on show.
Outstation Gallery is a member and signatory to the Indigenous Art Code, and is committed to fair dealing with artists, their art centres and communities.
Matt and Paul in their combined 40+ years working with Aboriginal art centres have facilitated the acquisition of Aboriginal art by many public collecting institutions, including:
– The National Gallery of Australia
– The National Museum of Australia
– The National Gallery of Victoria
– The Art Gallery of South Australia
– The Queensland Art Gallery
– Artbank
– The British Museum
To learn about the art and art centres regularly on show at Outstation Gallery, please visit Art Centres and for a list of our upcoming exhibition please see Exhibitions.
Outstation Gallery is also proud to exhibit contemporary art from non-Indigenous artists who currently reside in, or have a connection to the Darwin region. Artists represented by Outstation include Steve Gough, David Wickens and Hannah van der Wal, Bryan Bulley, Sarah Brown and Geoff Todd.
Directors
Matt Ward and Paul Johnstone have presented Aboriginal art exhibitions in collaboration with art centres for close to twenty years – Matt through the previous iteration of Outstation Gallery – art from art centres in Parap, and Paul at Paul Johnstone Gallery in Darwin city.
Before becoming gallerists they worked for and alongside Aboriginal art centres, communities and the art peak bodies, developing strong, respectful and highly trusted relationships.
They also partnered to create the SALON des Refuses, a hugely successful, hotly anticipated companion show to the annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards. Together they have also presented Aboriginal artwork across Australia, including at Adelaide’s Tarnanthi Festival.
Outstation Gallery supports enterprise development for individual artists to sustain an income from their artistic practice. We also support art centres in the important role they serve within their communities.
