Birrundudu Drawings

Birrundudu Drawings is a collection that sheds new light on desert art in Australia, challenging our understanding of this familiar genre. The series of 810 drawings, created in 1945 by Aboriginal men in the Northern Territory, is now held at the Berndt Museum at the University of Western Australia.

These drawings are a significant addition to Australian art history, offering a unique perspective on the country, ancestors, history, and ceremonies of the region. The collaboration between the Aboriginal men and anthropologists Ronald and Catherine Berndt resulted in a powerful record of Aboriginal knowledge and creativity.

For eighty years, these drawings remained unseen, hidden away in the Berndt Museum. This book explores the significance of these artworks and the silence surrounding them. The Birrundudu Drawings have the potential to transform the narratives of Aboriginal art and Australian history, offering a fresh perspective on a rich cultural heritage.