Artist Unknown - Medicine Story

Medicine Story (1972) - Artist Unknown
Indigenous Art of the Desert
Australia 90c Stamp Issued 1988

This is one of four stamps that were issued to show desert art by indigenous artists in the Western Desert region of the Northern Territory in Australia.  The Papunya Tula art movement gathered pace in the 1970s, and there are regular exhibits worldwide, as this form of art has gained traction with international art buyers.

Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri - Ancestor Dreaming

Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri (1929-1984) - Ancestor Dreaming (1977)
Australia $1 Stamp Issued 1988
Art of the Desert Series

This artist was one of the key figures from the Western Desert art scene that developed in the 1970s in outback Northern Territory, near Haast's Bluff.  Tjapaltjarri first worked as a stockman before moving with his wife to Papunya, where he was involved in the establishment of the artists' settlement.  The artist had earlier experience with watercolours, which makes some of his work quite different to his contemporaries.

Naata Nungurrayi - Untitled

Naata Nungurrayi (1932 - )

Australia $1.65 stamp issued 2003

This artist lives in an incredibly remote area of Australia, being the Pollock Hills in Western Australia.  She did not begin painting until 1996, but Nungurrayi's works are highly sought after.  This is one of many stamps that have been issued depicting indigenous art in Australia.  


This stamp is an "International Post" stamp that can be used for postage of items to overseas only - as GST is not charged on overseas despatches, but GST is charged on local postage within Australia, different stamps now need to be used for local vs overseas items.

Artist Unknown - Quinkan Gallery

Artist Unknown - Quinkan Gallery

Rock painting located on Cape York Peninsula Queensland

Australia 30c Stamp Issued 1984

Rock Painting Series

Artist Unknown - Silver Barramundi

Artist Unknown - Silver Barramundi

Rock Painting Located at the Alligator River, Northern Territory Australia

Australia 30c Stamp Issued 1984

Rock Painting Series (4 stamps in total)

Unknown Artist - Bunjil's Cave

Artist Unknown - Bunjil's Cave

Rock Painting located in the Grampians Mountain Range in Victoria, Australia

Australia 30c Stamp Issued 1984

Rock Painting Series

Unknown Artist - Rock Python

Artist Unknown - Rock Python

Painting located in the Kimberleys in Western Australia

Australia Stamp 30c issued 1984

Rock Paintings Series

Jack Wunuwun - Yam Plants

Yam Plants - Jack Wunuwun

Australian 75c Stamp Issued 1993

Dreaming Series

George Melpurrurru - Goose Egg Hunt

Goose Egg Hunt - George Melpurrurru

Australian 85c Stamp Issued 1993

Dreaming Series

Albert Namatjira - Simpson's Gap

Albert Namatjira (1902-1959) - Simpson's Gap

Australia 45c Stamp Issued 2002

Ngurratjuta Pmara Corporation Collection - Araluen Collection Alice Springs

This is one of four stamps issued to commemorate the life of Albert Namatjira in 2002.  The artist straddled between two western and aboriginal culture during his reasonable short life, producing a large number of works that depicted the local environment around his homeland of Alice Springs, in the outback of Australia.

Linmi Puntungka Tjapangati - Courtship Rejected

Limpi  Puntungka Tjapangati - Courtship Rejected (1974)
Australia 55c Stamp Issued 1988

This is one of four stamps that were issued under the "Art of the Desert" series in 1988 by Australia Post.

Turkey Tolsen Tjupurrula - Bush Potato Country

Turkey Tolsen Tjupurrula (1938-2001) - Bush Potato Country (1979)
Australia 37c Stamp Issued 1988

Turkey Tolson was one of the leading figures of the Papunya Tula art movement in the 1970s in the Western Desert region of the Northern Territory.  This popular style of indigenous art was only recognised by mainstream Australia in the 1970s and beyond.  This is one of four stamps that were issued for Desert Art in 1988.