Last week, Gallery One’s Director, Leanne Pearce and Manager, Karen Spooner, travelled to Darwin to experience two of Australia’s most significant celebrations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art — the 2025 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) and the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA).
The visit was an inspiring opportunity to connect with artists, art centres, and cultural leaders from across the country. Karen described the calibre of work on display as “exceptional — a powerful reminder of the depth, diversity, and innovation within First Nations art today.”
A highlight of the trip was attending the NATSIAA awards exhibition, to see the work by Gaypalani Wanambi who was named the 2025 overall winner for her mesmerising work Burwu, blossom 2025. Wanambi’s piece captivated everyone with its intricate design and profound connection to Country, culture, and community. This work is created using reclaimed metal street signs and delicate etchings, making the piece a striking work from both sides when viewed in the round.
The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair itself was a dynamic meeting place, showcasing hundreds of artists and bringing together art centres from every corner of Australia. The Gallery One team spent the fair meeting with both established and emerging artists, discussing their practice and exploring future collaborations.
“We are thrilled to have made such meaningful connections at DAAF this year,” said Karen. “Gallery One is excited to be working with several of the artists and art centres we met in Darwin, and we look forward to sharing their extraordinary work with our Gallery One audience.”
These events not only celebrate outstanding artistic achievement but also highlight the importance of preserving and sharing the cultural stories of Australia’s First Peoples. Gallery One is proud to support and promote these voices, and we look forward to welcoming these works into our exhibition program in the months ahead.
