Aboriginal Dot Art: Ethical Buys for Your Home

Colourful, inspiring and rich in culture, traditional and contemporary Aboriginal dot art is making its way into home interiors in a big way. From large paintings to handcrafted sculptures, each form of artwork is a celebration of the tradition of storytelling from the world’s oldest living culture. Each piece of work depicts Dreamtime stories around country, family and spiritual homelands.

With a plethora of galleries and shopfronts selling Aboriginal wall art it is important to be mindful of where you're purchasing your pieces. Ensuring the artist and their communities are benefiting from the sale is non-negotiable. To help you on your way, we've rounded up the best places to source authentic artwork that comes directly from the artist and indigenous communities. 

*Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this article may contain references to people who have passed away.

ArtArk

An online marketplace of Indigenous artwork, ArtArk supports the artist and their community through a sustainable and ethical platform, meaning the money from each sale goes directly to the Aboriginal artist through fair payment. Here you can find traditional and contemporary paintings, as well as Arnhem Land Weaving, which is where the artist uses traditional bush dyes and pandanus leaves to create sculptures, baskets and bags. The prices or these Aboriginal wall art pieces vary considerably, ranging between $100 to $3000. 

Mbantua

Located in Alice Springs, Mbantua is a fine art gallery and cultural museum with an online presence. Browse their website for authentic artwork by Indigenous artists from the Utopia region and Arnhem Land. The Aboriginal wall art themselves come in a variety of sizes with different price points. For something a little different, Mbantua also collaborates with Utopia Australia, the go-to for contemporary Aboriginal dot art designs across a range of giftware. Artists from the Utopia region have their vibrant designs featured on notebooks, cushion covers, tote bags, and cooler bags.

64 Todd Mall, Alice Springs, NT

Papunya Tjupi Arts

Papunya, a small town 250 km northwest of Alice Springs, is known to be the birthplace of the Western Desert dot-painting movement. Here you'll find Tjupi Arts, a 100% Aboriginal-owned and directed community arts organisation that services around 100 artists from Papunya and surrounding outstations. You can visit the art centre, and purchase directly from the artist while learning about them and their culture. Alternatively, you can purchase Aboriginal dreamtime art via the online store. 

PMB 101 via Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Japingka Aboriginal Art

Based out of Perth, Japingka Aboriginal Art Gallery has over 4,500 authentic Aboriginal dreamtime art in stock – large paintings, dot art, artefacts, and landscape art – all available at a variety of prices to suit every price tag. For those who are on a budget, their sales page often refreshes with a myriad of Aboriginal dot art pieces to choose from. Their website is also a wealth of information, not only about the artists who create the work but of indigenous culture, stories and the symbols that are portrayed in the works of art.

47 High Street, Fremantle, Western Australia

Blue Thumb

One of Australia’s largest art marketplaces, Blue Thumb allows art lovers to buy direct from emerging and established artists through their website. It's been a real game-changer in the world of interiors. Browse through an incredible amount of art across a variety of mediums and collections, including their vast selection of Aboriginal dot art. You can browse through paintings with traditional dot techniques to contemporary designs. To make it easy to find your ideal Aboriginal dreamtime art piece, the site allows you to narrow your search down by budget, size, orientation and collection.

Kate Owen Gallery

Over three light-filled floors in Sydney’s inner-west, Kate Owen Gallery showcases major exhibitions of indigenous artists, both established and emerging. Kate Owen also has their own dedicated indigenous art studio in Alice Springs, which allows them to source central and western art directly from the artists. The artwork is also sourced from the Kimberley’s and Top End. From Aboriginal dot art to contemporary landscapes, you’re able to purchase artwork online or from the gallery and at a variety of price points.

680 Darling Street, Rozelle, NSW

The Artery

Ethical, contemporary and affordable: these are the guiding principles behind The Artery in Sydney’s inner-city. Many of their featured artists hail from the Northern Territory, where they create contemporary art that tells their story and the connection they have with the land, their families and their communities. By purchasing Aboriginal dreamtime art from The Artery – be it online or from their Darlinghurst-based gallery – means you are directly supporting the artist and their communities. 

Shop 2, The Westbury, 221 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst, New South Wales

Artbank

Why buy when you can lease the artwork for a fraction of the price? A self-funding government initiative has been providing direct support to contemporary Australian artists through the acquisition of their work and then leasing it on to businesses and individuals. Artbank has over 10,000 works spanning across multiple disciplines, giving the broader community direct access to some of the best examples of Australian contemporary art, including Aboriginal dot art. You can lease art from just $165 a year, with six to 12-month lease arrangements.

Artbank is located in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth (or browse online)

Daisy in Dots

Looking to add a touch of cultural depth and contemporary flair to your space with Aboriginal art prints? Look no further than Daisy Hill's beautiful Aboriginal dot art, Daisy in Dots. Nestled in the heart of Yugambeh Country on the Gold Coast, Daisy infuses her art with a profound connection to her heritage and surroundings. Her work—a testament to her intuitive painting—carries a serene, earthy palette inspired by the hinterland and the sea. Daisy's dedication shines through her meticulous creations, often drawing from the sun, water, and sand. The beauty of her Aboriginal dreamtime art lies not just in the dots but in the personal stories and meanings she weaves into each piece, tailored to the individual. Daisy’s art is a heartfelt embrace of her ancestry, a modern testament to cultural roots in a contemporary world.

Otis Hope Carey

Otis Hope Carey is a pro surfer-turned-artist who navigates the waves of tradition with a laid-back charm. It is with this cool vibe that he can seamlessly blend the past and present through a contemporary take on Aboriginal dot art. Hailing from Gumbaynggirr Bundjalung land in northern New South Wales, Otis draws on ancient symbolism with a fresh twist, creating a connection between family, culture, and the modern world. Otis uses his artwork to not just tell stories but to spark conversations about Aboriginal rights and mental health. Otis Hope Carey's Aboriginal Dreamtime art is a journey through tradition, interpreted for today.

Freestone Art

Looking for a touch of cultural vibe in your space? Freestone Art's contemporary Aboriginal dot art might just have your ideal piece. Hailing from the stunning Awabakal Country in Newcastle, Lauren, following in her father's artistic footsteps, brings a fresh, earthy palette to life. She is inspired by her Wiradjuri lineage and Gumbaynggirr Country roots, which radiates the textures and colors of her beloved land onto her art. With a unique blend of mediums and a strong connection to her heritage, Lauren weaves a personal touch into each piece. So, if you do get to own a Freestone Art piece, know that you're more than hanging decor on your wall; you are hanging a piece of her ancestral story on your wall. It's a beautiful connection to both past and present. 

Loved our edit of ethical aboriginal dot art and looking to sort the rest of your home? For more artistic inspiration and home decor ideas, head over to Sitchu Living.