Northern Territory Wall Art
Country first, scenery second. More of the titles in this part of the catalogue name what a place means than what it looks like, and that is deliberate. Sixty two prints covering the centre, the West MacDonnell Ranges and the Top End, in three formats.
The centre and the north are opposite seasons
The Northern Territory does not have one climate and the images divide along that line. The centre is dry, open and hard edged. The Top End floods, drains and turns green. Photographing both means working the calendar rather than the map.
Uluru and Kata Tjuta
Twenty five images, with their own collection. This is the group with the strongest recognition and also the one with the most cultural weight, and the titles reflect it. Kurumpa Mutitjulu, Uluru, NT, The Message Stick, Uluru, NT and Tears for a Nation, Uluru, NT were named for what the place is rather than for the picture.
The West MacDonnell Ranges
West of Alice Springs the country becomes gorges and river gums. Ormiston Gorge, NT, Organ Pipes, Glen Helen Gorge, NT, Morning Mist, Ellery Creek, NT and Ghost Gum Finke River National Park, NT come from this stretch. It is quieter country than Uluru and considerably less photographed.
The Top End
Kakadu and Arnhem Land are wetland rather than desert. Yellow Waters, Kakadu, NT, Oenpelli Lilies, NT and Jim Jim Falls, Kakadu, NT depend on water that is not there for half the year. Whispering Waters, Katherine Gorge, NT sits between the two zones.
Naming and cultural context
Several places in this collection are living cultural sites. Parts of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Kakadu and Arnhem Land carry photographic restrictions or require a permit to enter, set and published by the traditional owners and the managing park authorities. Those conditions change, so anyone travelling to this country should check them directly with the relevant authority before setting out.
What suits a wall
The centre images are warm and hold a large open wall. The Top End images are green and reflective and sit better where there is furniture or a shorter viewing distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Uluru and West MacDonnell collections?
Recognition and quiet. Uluru and Kata Tjuta are the images most people know, and the collection is twenty five prints deep. The West MacDonnell Ranges cover the gorge country west of Alice Springs, which is less photographed and reads as landscape rather than as landmark.
Are any of these places culturally restricted?
Yes, several are. Parts of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Kakadu and Arnhem Land are restricted from photography or closed to visitors without a permit, and those rules are set by the traditional owners and the managing park authorities rather than by the gallery. They also change from time to time. If you are planning to travel to any of this country, check the current conditions with the relevant park authority or land council before you go.
Which Northern Territory print suits a very large wall?
The Great South Land, Uluru, NT and Timeless Land, Uluru, NT are both panoramic images built on a horizontal landform with open plain around it, which is what holds scale on a wide wall.
Do the Top End images look different to the desert ones?
Completely. Kakadu and Arnhem Land are wetland, so the Top End images are green, wet and reflective. The centre images are dry, warm and high contrast. They are best treated as two separate palettes rather than one territory.