Elcho Island Arts

Elcho Island Arts is a Yolŋu-owned art centre located in Galiwin’ku, Elcho Island off the north-east coast of East Arnhem Land. Community-operated since 1992, the art centre exists primarily to support Yolŋu artists to share their culture and derive income from their art making.  

The community’s artists are renowned for their originality in design and knowledge of traditional bush materials, continuing a tradition of many thousands of years. Their artworks, weavings, fibre art, carvings and ceremonial poles are widely exhibited and are in national collections within Australia and in major collections worldwide.

Types of works produced and exhibited in the art centre include Morning Star poles, larrakitj or Dupan, bark paintings, yidaki (didjeridu), woven pandanus baskets, carvings and shell jewellery. Their fibre art is certainly worth a look, with grasses and fibres dyed and woven together to form baskets, dilly bags, mats, fishing nets and jewellery.

Please contact the gallery prior to your visit as the gallery may be closed due to field work or cultural commitments.

To enter the community of Galiwin’ku and visit the art centre a visitors permit is required through the Northern Land Council.