The artworks – deemed the “most significant gift of indigenous art to the NGV since the gallery openned its doors…” – were gifted by the Felton Bequest, established in 1904 by NGV benefactor, Alfred Felton.
Among these 173 gifts there will be the important works of three contemporary artists, Vernon Ah Kee, Jonathan Jones, and Brook Andrew who were comissioned to create works that pay homage to highly celebrated Wurundjeri artist, William Barak.
The gifts will also encompass two collections with the first being 63 19th and early 20th Century shields on display as part of the Australian Art Collection and the second being 107 21st Centruy paintings which form the new exhibition, Living Water.
