The National Gallery of Australia will proceed with a major First Nations art exhibition in 2026, three years after an independent investigation cleared indigenous artists from the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands of allegations involving improper interference in their artistic work. The exhibition, titled "Ngura Pulka – Epic Country," was originally scheduled for 2023 but was postponed following controversial claims that challenged the authenticity of the indigenous artists' work.
The exhibition was initially delayed in June 2023 after a video surfaced that appeared to show a non-Aboriginal assistant helping to paint an artwork. This footage sparked serious allegations about the integrity of indigenous art production and raised questions about whether the artists were receiving unauthorized assistance in creating their pieces. The controversy threatened to undermine the credibility of the exhibition and the reputation of the participating artists.
In response to these allegations, the National Gallery commissioned a comprehensive independent review to investigate the provenance of 28 paintings by APY artists that were intended to be featured in the postponed exhibition. The investigation was thorough and examined each artwork against the gallery's strict provenance standards, which relate to the integrity and authenticity of artistic production. The review process took over a year to complete and involved detailed analysis of the creation process for each piece.
The independent investigation reached definitive conclusions that fully supported the artists. The review found that all 28 paintings satisfied the National Gallery's provenance standards and confirmed the integrity of the artistic production process. Crucially, the investigators determined that the artwork shown in the controversial video was not one of the paintings included in the planned exhibition, effectively separating the video incident from the exhibition pieces.
The reviewers acknowledged that they placed "considerable weight" on statements provided by the artists from the APY Art Centre Collective (APYACC), who consistently maintained that the works were entirely their own creation. The investigation concluded that claims suggesting otherwise had "no proper foundation" and were not supported by evidence. The reviewers explicitly rejected any suggestion that the artists had engaged in deceptive practices or false claims of authorship.
Throughout the controversy, the artists and art centers at the heart of the allegations strongly denied any improper interference in their work. The APYACC issued a powerful signed statement rejecting the accusations, declaring that "'White hands on black art' is a false story and it always was." The collective emphasized that the participating artists had "maintained a dignified silence during a long and painful time when our integrity, our livelihoods, our families, and our art have been under sustained attack."
The investigation's findings provided complete vindication for the artists, with reviewers stating: "We strongly reject any implicit or actual suggestion that the artists have been engaged in any cover-up, abandonment of their cultural obligations or dishonest practice by making false claims of authorship in the paintings." This statement represented a full restoration of the artists' reputations and artistic integrity.
The "Ngura Pulka – Epic Country" exhibition will now open in early 2026, showcasing large-scale works by senior First Nations artists and art centers from the APY Lands, as well as pieces from Coober Pedy and Tarntanya/Adelaide. The exhibition represents a significant celebration of indigenous Australian art and culture, featuring works that demonstrate the rich artistic traditions of these communities. The show is scheduled to run at the National Gallery of Australia from April 11 to August 23, 2026, providing visitors with an extensive opportunity to experience this important collection of indigenous artwork.
