Laundry Gallery

Laundry Gallery is an Aboriginal-owned multidisciplinary creative hub in Darwin, presented within a reimagined 1970s laundromat. The space brings contemporary Indigenous art and culture into a setting that connects long-held stories and songlines with present-day creative practice. Its focus is on making those stories accessible, while giving artists a platform to speak through their own work.

The gallery’s programme changes monthly, so each visit may offer a different view of the artists and communities represented. Exhibitions are supported by workshops and events, with a selected range of artisan works available in the gallery and through its online store. The programme is intended not only for viewing, but also for learning and engagement, using creativity to encourage a closer understanding of Indigenous Australia, its cultures and its ongoing artistic practices.

The website highlights work by artists including Ben Ward, whose paintings draw on Bilbiljm, or Grasshopper Dreaming, and Country he came to know while mustering cattle at Argyle Downs Station in the East Kimberley. Delany’s paintings follow features of her grandmother’s Country, including creeks, billabongs, bush medicine and jilinybeng, or bush cucumber. These examples give an indication of the gallery’s interest in art as a way of carrying knowledge, place and personal experience across generations.

Laundry Gallery also presents work connected with Warnayaka Art Centre in Lajamanu, a Warlpiri corporation supporting painting, wooden artefacts, cultural knowledge and opportunities for local artists. That broader context makes the gallery a considered stop for people wanting to spend time with Indigenous art beyond a quick retail browse. It suits solo visitors who prefer to take in exhibitions at their own pace, as well as visitors attending a workshop or event. Located in Darwin’s Waterfront area, it offers an art-focused experience shaped by changing exhibitions, artist-led stories and the unusual character of its former laundromat setting.