Dreaming the Land

Dreaming the Land is a beautifully produced art book featuring a broad collection of talented indigenous artists from outback Australia.

Marie Geissler has worked in Indigenous art for over 30 years is currently researching the bark painting collection at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra. Geissler's, Dreaming the Land examines the Australian Indigenous art movement originating from remote locations, particularly the Kimberley and Arnhem Land.

Dreaming the Land is a comprehensive introduction to Indigenous art in Australia. It features 100 artists from across remote Australia each with a fascinating brief biography and, thankfully, a pull page image of their work.

Geissler has curated a beautiful reference of Australian Indigenous artists. The amount of research conducted for this book is evident and really elevates the work. The breadth of knowledge and considered presentation is what keeps the reader engaged in the work. As a coffee table book it is beautiful, and as reference it is an important collection of artists that have shaped a unique Australian movement far from contemporary gallery spaces.  

What was appealing to me as the reader in this book is definitely the scope of artists included. Each with an important story and incredible art. The context given by the author about each artist makes for fascinating overview of Indigenous art and its cultural impact and importance.