Kunmanara (Wawiriya) Burton<br/>
<em>Ngayuku ngura – My Country</em> 2019 <!-- (recto) --><br />

ink on paper<br />
(a-i) 76.0 x 56.0 cm (each)<br />
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br />
Purchased with funds donated by D’Lan Davidson and Rachal Jacobs, 2020<br />
2020.4.a-i<br />
© Wawiriya Burton/ Licensed by Copyright Agency, Australia
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The Stars We Do Not See

Australian Indigenous Art

NGV Touring

National Gallery of Art, Washington
18 Oct 2025 – 1 Mar 2026

Denver Art Museum, Colorado
19 Apr – 26 Jul 2026

Portland Art Museum, Oregon
5 Sep 2026 – 3 Jan 2027

Peabody Essex Museum, Massachusetts
28 Feb – 13 Jun 2027

Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto
31 Jul 2027 – 10 Jan 2028

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art is organized by the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne and the National Gallery of Art, Washington in association with the Denver Art Museum, the Portland Art Museum, the Peabody Essex Museum and the Royal Ontario Museum, and will be on display at the above venues across the United States and Canada.

The exhibition is curated by Myles-Russell-Cook, Artistic Director and CEO of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art and former Senior Curator of Australian and First Nations art at the National Gallery of Victoria, with the coordinating curatorial support of Michael Gentle, Sophie Gerhard, and Sophie Prince.


The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art is the largest exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art ever presented internationally. Through a rich display of iconic masterpieces, curated especially for North American audiences, the exhibition charts watershed moments in Indigenous art, revealing a rich history of creativity that pre-dates the arrival of Europeans.

Featuring the undisputed masterpieces from the NGV Collection, the exhibition features over 200 works by more than 130 artists, including many that have never-before left the country. The Stars We Do Not See introduces audiences to customary forms and styles, such as the conceptual map paintings of the Central and Western deserts (sometimes colloquially referred to as ‘dot paintings’), ochre bark paintings, cultural objects and ambitious experimental weavings. The exhibition also explores the work of new media artists who simultaneously challenge and build upon tradition with groundbreaking works in neon, video, sound, photography and much more.

Highlighting the diverse and distinct visual iconographies of Indigenous Australia – which is made up of more than 250 distinct Indigenous nations – the works span the entire Australian continent, including the Tiwi Islands, Arnhem Land, Far North Queensland, the Torres Strait, the Central Desert, the Kimberley and beyond.

Following its global premiere on 18 October 2025 at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, The Stars We Do Not See will tour to venues in North America, including Denver Art Museum, Colorado; Portland Art Museum, Oregon; Peabody Essex Museum, Massachusetts; and the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada.

Artists

Albert Namatjira
Alec Mingelmanganu
Alick Tipoti
Alkawari Dawson
Amrita Hepi
Anatjari Tjakamarra
Anthea Stewart
Balang Nakurulk
Baluka Maymuru
Bardayal Nadjamerrek
Barrupu Yunupingu
Beatrice Simpson
Betty Muffler
Birmuyingathi Maali Netta Loogatha
Bonita Kaida
Bonnie Burarngarra
Boxer Milner Tjampitjin
Brendan Mungatopi
Brook Andrew
Bugai Whylouter
Carlene West
Cecille Baker
Charlie Djurritjini
Charlie Wartuma Tjungurrayi
Charlotte Phillipus Napurrula
Christian Thompson
Claudia Moodoonuthi
Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri
Clinton Naina
Cornelia Tipuamantumirri
Dadib Elam Ingui
Destiny Deacon
Dhambit Munuŋgurr
Donkeyman Lee Tjupurrula
Donna Loxton
Doreen Chapman
Doreen Jinggarrabarra
Doreen Reid Nakamarra
Emily Kam Kngwarray
Eubena Nampitjin
Fred Jampijinpa Jigili
Freda Ali
Freda Wayartja Ali
Gabriella Garrimara
Gary Lee
Gawirrin Gumana
Gwenneth Blitner
Hayley Millar Baker
Indra Prudence
Jakayu Biljabu
Jambalulu Mulwirrkbirrk
Jean Baptiste Apuatimi
Jennifer Prudence
Jimmy Jampijinpa Robertson
Jimmy Njiminjuma
Joe Japanangka James
Judy Watson
Kaylene Whiskey
Kitty Kantilla
Kunmanara (Wawiriya) Burton
Kuruwarriyingathi Bijarrb Paula Paul
Lena Nyadbi
Leonard Tregonning
Linda James
Lola Greeno
Lorna Jin-gubarrangunyja
Lorraine Connelly-Northey
Maggie Napangardi Watson
Malaluba Gumana
Mani Luki Harry Carpenter Wommatakimmi
Maree Clarke
Margaret Rarru Garrawarra
Marilyne Nicholls
Mario Walarmerpui
Marlene Gilson
Maureen Ali
May Chapman
Michelle Baker
Mick Wallangkarri Tjakamarra
Ms N. Marawili
Ms N. Yunupiŋu
Mulkun Wirrpanda
Mulyatingki Marney
Muntararr Rosie Williams
Naminapu Maymuru-White
Nancy Henry Ripijingimpi
Nora Wompi
Nyanjilpayi Nancy Chapman
Paddy Bedford
Paddy Compass Namadbara
Paddy Fordham Wainburranga
Patju Presley
Queenie McKenzie
Rachel Emma Gela
Rayarriwarrtharrbayingathi Mingungurra Amy Loogatha
Reena Rogers
Reko Rennie
Richard Bell
Ricky Maynard
Ronelle Simpson
Ronnie Tjampitjinpa
Rose Mamuniny Gurruwiwi
Rover Thomas
Sally Gabori
Sandra Hill
Shirley Daniel
Theresa Shirley Clermont
Thunduyingathi Bijarrb May Moodoonuthi
Tiger Palpatja
Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri
Timothy Cook
Timothy Cook; Kenny Brown
Tjayanka Woods
Tommy McRae
Tony Albert
Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula
Unknown
Vernon Ah Kee
Vincent Mungatopi
Wakartu Cory Surprise
Walangkura Napanangka
Warthadangathi Bijarrba Ethel Thomas
Wasie Tardent
William Barak
Willie Jolpa
Wingu Tingima
Wirrngajingathi Bijarrb Kurdalalngk Dawn Naranatjil
Wukun Wanambi
Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi
Yikartu Bumba
Yirrwala
Yulyurlu Lorna Napurrurla Fencer
Yvonne Koolmatrie
Zoe Prudence
Watch
Exhibition overview