Crossing Country

The wealth of rock art that proliferates in Western Arnhem Land in the northern part of Australia is of immense significance as evidence of the world's oldest continuous culture, featuring some of the most enduringly beautiful artworks known to humankind. But this is not a static tradition. The contemporary artists of Western Arnhem Land are alchemists of tradition and innovation. Beautifully illustrated, Crossing Country: Alchemy of Western Arnhem Land Art is the first major survey of the works of these artists, and is published in conjunction with the 'Crossing Country' exhibition at AGNSW, which runs from 25 September to 12 December 2004. This large-scale book, containing 180 colour images, including the oldest bark paintings in existence, as well as examples of sculpture, weaving and works on paper, chronicles the development of the Land's unique artistic and cultural traditions.