Duyfken Indigenous Art

Recording the history and heritage of Australia.

Recognising the importance of Indigenous art from Cape York has been a fundamental part of Rio Tinto Aluminium's ongoing relationship with the Traditional Owners from Western Cape York in Queensland.

In 2003 the Queensland Art Gallery with the support from Rio Tinto Aluminium developed Australia's first major exhibition of Aboriginal art from Cape York. Known as Story Place, the exhibition explored historical and contemporary art from throughout the region.

In 2006 Rio Tinto Aluminium was given another opportunity to recognise the significance of Aboriginal art when it joined with other key sponsors to participate in a special project acknowledging the role of Aboriginal people in the initial contact with Dutch explorers 400 years ago.

The Dutch ship, Duyfken, landed on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula near Weipa in 1606. This was the first European contact with Australia. To celebrate the 400th anniversary of Dutch contact with Australia last year, the Royal Netherlands Embassy commissioned Duyfken: The Aboriginal Print Portfolio. Ten Indigenous artists originating from areas where the Duyfken landed, each produced a print which was included in this limited edition portfolio.

In 2007 Rio Tinto Aluminium donated one of the portfolios to the Queensland Art Gallery.

Click here to read the media release on this sponsorship.