Where to find unexpected art in outback NSW
Discover incredible artworks – both ancient and modern – in Outback New South Wales.
The Living Desert Sculpture Symposium
Set on a hill about 10 kilometres outside of Broken Hill, 12 huge, abstract sandstone sculptures rise dramatically into the sky. The installation was unveiling in 1993 and stands largely unchanged, sort of like an Antipodean Stonehenge. The works were created by well-known international artists who carved the sculptures into the blocks on-site.
Silverton
The tiny town of Silverton has a permanent population of less than 50, yet is a thriving arts hub. There are a number of art galleries spread throughout town, with works ranging from brightly painted utes in the yard to classic landscapes in oil. In fact, the whole town looks like the set of a movie and there’s even a whole museum dedicated to the film Mad Max, which was filmed nearby.
Broken Hill
The unofficial capital of the Outback, Broken Hill is an historic silver mining town that also has a strong artistic tradition. It was the home of the Brushmen of the Bush, a group of five artists (Pro Hart, Eric Minchin, Jack Absalom, John Pickup and Hugh Schulz) who collaborated together. There are a number of galleries dedicated to them and other local artists that host excellent exhibitions. The Pro Hart Outback Prize is an annual competition hosted by the Broken Hill Regional Gallery that attracts some of the best artists in the country.
Mutawintji National Park
The ancient Mutawintji National Park is around 130 kilometres northeast of Broken Hill. It is of special significance to the local indigenous people and rock art here dates back some 8,000 years. A local indigenous guide can take you into the restricted Historic Site, home to one of the state’s best collections of Aboriginal art, including rock art, hand stencils and engraving.
Lightning Ridge
Another small community with an oversized artistic tradition, the mining town of Lightning Ridge is home to a number of galleries showing contemporary works, indigenous art and spaces for emerging artists. The most unique gallery is housed in an abandoned mine shaft 12 metres below the ground. Chambers of the Black Hand is run by artists and miner Ron Canlin and the walls are covered with carvings and paintings of everything from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs to modern cartoon characters.
Have you been to any of these places?