Indigenous art in front: National Gallery changes focus

Achingly beautiful is how the Governor General Quentin Bryce described the art featured in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander galleries that opened at the National Gallery of Australia on 30 September 2010. Carefully designed to make use of natural light, the eleven new galleries are dedicated to the permanent display and representation of Australian Indigenous art - a momentous occasion indeed. This development continues NGA Director Ron Radford's strong vision for the gallery to celebrate Australia and its region by providing a solid platform for the national and international recognition of Indigenous, Pacific and South East Asian art, people and culture.  The message is reinforced by the James Turrell 'Skyspace' which is placed alongside the new gallery extension. The circle at the top of the dome is open, providing a spectacular frame through which to view the changing Australian sky. Red ochre desert-coloured walls, blue pools, and surrounding plantings of eucalypts add to this marvellous artwork.