ELCHO ISLAND ART AND CRAFT

The Art Centre at Elcho Island is located on a cliff top (the eagle’s nest in Yolngu mythology) south east of the Galiwin’ku town centre and enjoys spectacular views looking south west over Mission Beach, Abbott Island and the surrounding sea.
Housed in what was originally the Galiwin’ku Hospital and owned by the local Galiwin’ku Community Council, the Centre employs both Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff and supports, represents and promotes more than 200 artists.

Elcho Island Art and Craft has been community managed since 1992. It is an enormously important resource, playing a pivotal role in helping maintain pride in and connection to Yolngu culture across generations and in ensuring that time honoured traditions continue.
Vision for ongoing development of the Centre and its Artists is based upon the promotion and marketing of artwork; the development of artists’ skills and techniques within a traditional context; and the fostering of a broader perspective through better understanding of art business, the gallery system and the art marketplace

Click map to enlarge

Elcho Island is located in the Arafura Sea, approximately 550kms east of Darwin. The nearest mainland town is Nhulunbuy/Gove, a 45 minute flight by small plane to the south east of the Island. The Island is home to the largest Aboriginal community in north east Arnhem Land with approximately 2000 residents living in the main settlement of Galiwin’ku and across many outstations including Matamata, Ingliss Island, Maparru and Gariyak.
The settlement was originally established as a Methodist mission in 1942 and remained under Church direction until 1974 when it became self-managed. Eighteen connected clan groups within the Elcho Island locale have close cultural ties with mainland Arnhem Land clans and language groups. The most commonly spoken languages are Djambarrpuyngu and Gupapuyngu (both Yolngu Matha languages). However, there are at least 12 more languages in use in the region.