The largest collection of fine indigenous bark-art in the world has been brought together for an exhibition at the National Museum in Canberra.
Old Masters: Australia's Great Bark Artists, features 122 of the most exquisite Arnhem Land works by 40 artists.
The Chair of the Indigenous Advisory Committee to the Australian National Museum, Peter Yu says many of the artists lived off the land before the arrival of white explorers in some of the most remote parts of the Northern Territory.
"We needed to be able to explain to the broader non-aboriginal community, to the white community, who we are, what we are, and what is our story," he said.
"These aren't just magnificent works of fine art, this tells a story of the fabric of aboriginal society."
The paintings were created between 1948 and 1988, and have been held in the National Museum's vault.
Consultant curator Wally Caruanahe says most of the artworks have never been put on public display.
"This exhibition challenges our notions of what Aboriginal barks are by presenting exquisite artistry, diverse palettes and innovative designs that are not popularly associated with barks," he said.
"The works act as public records for the people of Arnham Land, explaining the intricacies of Indigenous culture and custom going back thousands of years, along with traditional fables and life experiences."
Traditional techniques used in the paintings have been passed down through the generations.
Lorraine White has established herself as an artist but it was her grandfather, who's work forms part of the exhibition, who taught her to paint as child.
"He would sing songs, tell stories about the paintings he would do, and explain each line," she said.
"The meanings and the colours and from there that's where I got the inspiration and wanted to do what he did, and paint and teach others."
The exhibition opens on Friday and runs until July 2014.
Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned this video contains images of people who have died.
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