An expert’s guide to Indigenous Australian art: five must-read books on the subject

Kelli Cole, lead curator of Tate Modern's Emily Kam Kngwarray survey, and academic Jennifer Green recommend five essential books for understanding Indigenous Australian art. The selections range from Wally Caruana's concise survey 'Aboriginal Art' (2025) to John Kean's 'Dot, Circle and Frame' (2023), which details the origins of the Papunya Tula art movement. The recommendations come amid major international exhibitions spotlighting Indigenous Australian art, including Tate Modern's Kngwarray show and the National Gallery of Art's 'The Stars We Do Not See'.