Cultural Medicine: The Art of Indigenous Healing

Cultural Medicine

It presents examples of healing practice from the many distinct and varied Indigenous communities throughout Australia through contemporary art practice.

In 2015 the Medical History Museum began collecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art that depicted bush medicine and healing practices culminating in a major exhibition The art of healing: Australian Indigenous bush medicine in 2018 that toured internationally to London and Berlin.

Cultural Medicine: The Art of Indigenous Healing reveals new works by First Nations Australians who generously share their extensive knowledge of bush medicine and healing practices. This exhibition builds on existing relationships with artists and communities. Works have been acquired from artists and art centres from throughout Australia including works from Kaiela Arts, Shepparton, Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Alice Springs, Barkley Regional Arts, Tennant Creek and
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, Yirrkala,

The key to this exhibition is revealing that traditional Indigenous healing is a current practice informed by the past and an intrinsic part of the life of indigenous people in Australia.

Image:
Vanessa Inkamala (b. 1968)
skin: Nangala
language: Western Aranda
Country: Ntaria Hermannsburg
artist location: Mparntwe (Alice Springs), Northern Territory
Bush Vicks, 2023
watercolour paints on watercolour paper,
51.5 x 71.5 cm
MHM2024.11, Medical History Museum

Medical History Museum
Monday 29 September 2025 to Friday 10 July 2026