Google’s Art Project brings Indigenous talent to the digital world

The Project gives global audiences unprecedented access to Australia’s wealth of Indigenous artists, bringing together 782 collections from museums and galleries all over the world on the one website.

Google Art Project allows users to explore a massive collection of Indigenous Art Source: Google Art Project/Museum Victoria

The Google Art Project is a platform which has expanded exponentially since its inception in 2011. It allows the public to virtually tour some of the world’s most famous galleries including London’s Tate Gallery and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Using the same technology used to produce Google’s ‘Street View’, the high quality images captured allow the viewer to zoom in and appreciate the fine details of each work.

Over 27 Australian cultural institutions are represented, ranging from the Art Gallery of South Australia to Griffith University’s Australian Rock Art collection to Sculpture by the Sea. With items collected from early settlers such as the boomerang of legendary resistance fighter Jandamarra, through to contemporary art, the works exhibited illustrate the breadth of Indigenous art and history. 

Here are NITV's top 10 picks for you to check out online now:

Black Hammerhead Shark Eastern Island Dari Warrior Headdress, Ken Thaiday Snr

Thaiday, a Meriam man from Erub Island, creates moving sculptures for use in ceremonies and dance performances. Source: Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

Find it on Google Art Project here. 

The Aboriginal Memorial at the National Gallery of Australia, Central Arnhem Land artists

The installation of 200 hollow log coffins from Central Arnhem Land commemorates all the Indigenous people who have lost their lives since 1788. Source: National Gallery of Australia

Take a virtual tour of the Memorial here. 

Grandmother's gold country, Gabriella P Nungurray

Nungurray, from the Anmatyerre people of the Northerm Territory tells the story of her lands through traditional painting techniques. Source: Art Gallery of South Australia

Find it on Google Art project here. 

I bin learn, Deann Grant

'This artwork is based on old-school slate chalk boards and comments on the racism that Aboriginal people experience in the Australia education system.' Source: Museum and Art Gallery of Northern Territory

Find it on Google Art Project here. 

Male Ancestor figure bark painting, Unknown artist, Western Arnhem Land

This bark painting was collected from Western Arnhem Land in 1912 and displays a portrait of a male ancestor in the 'x-ray' art tradition. Source: Museum Victoria

Find it on Google Art Project here. 

Ngura walkumunu (Being in a good camp), Pantjiti Mary McLean

McLean's work won First Prize at the 1995 Telstra National Aboriginal Art Award. Source: Museum and Art Gallery of Northern Territory

Find it on Google Art project here. 

Triangular skirt made of pandanus palm, Unknown artist, Eastern Arnhem Land

This skirt was collected in 1936 and was painted and worn during the final stages of the Ngulmark ceremony by the Marrangu clan. Source: Museum Victoria

Find it on Google Art Project here. 

30th Anniversary Event, Nunukul Yuggera Dancers

The Nunukul Yuggera Dancers perform in Cascade Court at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Source: Darren Thomas/Queensland Performing Arts Centre

Find it on Google Art Project here. 

Ships and bi-plane rock art, Djulirri, Western Arnhem Land

These paintings are thought to have been made between 1915 and 1940, in the Wellington range of Arnhem Land. Source: Australian Rock Art Gallery/Griffith University

Find it on Google Art project here and hear an archaeologist talk about the significance of the site. 

Riji - carved pearl shells, Aubrey Tigan

'These shells are what the young men wear on the third last stage of their initiation. After the final stage, he is allowed to be with his promised wife.' Source: Museum and Art Gallery of Northern Territory

Find it on Google Art Project here. 

See more art on the new season of NITV's Colour Theory, hosted by Tony Albert. Screening from Sunday June 12 @ 9pm.