65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art

65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art delves into Australia's complex colonial past, offering fresh perspectives on the country's earliest art forms.

Long before Britain invaded Australia in 1788, First Peoples' cultural and design traditions thrived for countless generations. These traditions shaped the continent and the communities that prospered here. Despite their significance, settlers disregarded these enduring artistic practices and new art forms, not recognising them as 'fine art' until the late 1980s.

This publication features contributions from twenty-five writers who urge us to re-evaluate the art history unique to the Australian continent, highlighting its modern-day significance. Through new writings by prominent thinkers from various generations and disciplines, it celebrates Indigenous Australian art across different media, times, and language groups.

Today, Indigenous art and artists are at the forefront of contemporary art practice. This book unveils the artistic brilliance of Australia's First Peoples, standing as a testament to their resilience and creativity.

Published in association with a major exhibition at the University of Melbourne's revitalised Potter Museum of Art, opening in 2025 and also titled 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art, the exhibition is curated by Professor Marcia Langton AO, Ms Judith Ryan AM, and Ms Shanysa McConville. It features over 400 artworks that celebrate the enduring brilliance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, despite a challenging history of colonialism and scientific racism.