Waringarri Aboriginal Arts

Waringarri Aboriginal Arts was established in the early 1980s by senior artists of the east Kimberley region as a place of art and culture. It is the first indigenous owned art centre established in the Kimberley region and one of the oldest continuously operating art centres in Australia supporting economic independence for artists and their community.

Situated in Kununurra, in the heart of Miriwoong country, Waringarri artists share the importance of country and culture, while exploring a celebration of colour, composition and individualism. The art centre is wholly indigenous owned and all proceeds from sales are returned to the community.

The centre operates as an artists’studio and gallery selling ochre paintings, limited edition prints, engraved boabs and wood carvings.

Recently refurbished (during 2011) the distinctive quality about Waringarri Aboriginal Arts is the sense of an authentically creative and collaborative environment. Artist studios extend into landscaped gardens areas. Verandas are supported with individually painted poles and pathways present artist designs sandblasted into pavers. The addition of the new Dawang Gallery honors the past with selected works from the Waringarri Collection and focuses on the future with multi-media presentations to share cultural identity with both community and visitors.

Waringarri Aboriginal Art provides Miriwoong people with economic independence and opportunities to share and celebrate their cultural heritage. Regular traditional corroboree performances are held throughout the year, complementing the vitality of Miriwoong cultural identity and enriching the artists’ painting practice.

The art centre supports more than 100 artists and proudly provides for the training and employment of local Aboriginal people as arts-workers.

Below are the current artworks we have in the gallery from Waringarri.