Biggest ever Foundation grant goes towards acquisition of Red Rock Art Collection and Archive

On 26 October 2023, the Foundation for the WA Museum announced the launch of a large-scale grant program for the benefit of the WA Museum and its first major annual grant to the Museum for a key acquisition. The grant funding was allocated to the acquisition of the majority of the Red Rock Art Collection and Archive.  

The Red Rock Art Collection and Archive has immense cultural and spiritual significance, and is of major historical and artistic importance. It forms a rare and unique record of an art movement, and of artists and art related events in the East Kimberley at the turn of the 21^st century, and is highly representative of the art practices of the region.

The Museum’s acquisition includes canvas paintings, painted wooden boards, limited edition prints, artefacts, cultural objects, dance boards, hats worn by a number of the artists; as well as a range of archival items like video recordings, still photographs and negatives.

Notable artists featured in the collection include Rover Thomas, Queenie McKenzie, Jack Britten, Peggy Griffiths, Paddy Carlton, Sonia Kurarra, Jock Mosquito, Freddie Timms, Eubena Nampitjin and Billy Thomas.

Working together to support WA Museum's role in the community

The work of the WA Museum touches the WA community in so many ways. In October, a dig team travelled to the Pilbara to recover rare Diprotodon fossils. While the main aim of the trip was to recover the fossils for future scientific research, the team interacted with many members of the Pilbara community - local school groups, mine site staff, Rangers and more.