Readback Books & Aboriginal Art Gallery

Readback Books & Aboriginal Art Gallery brings together a second-hand book shop and an upstairs Aboriginal art gallery in The Mall, in the heart of Darwin CBD. The gallery is air-conditioned and presents a broad selection of traditional, contemporary and investment art, while the street-level book store gives visitors another reason to browse. It is a compact city stop with a clear connection to local artists and the wider Darwin community.

The gallery has operated in Darwin since 1995 and says its artwork is bought ethically and directly from Indigenous men and women artists, including artists based in and around Darwin. Its artist profiles include Barbara Price Mbitjana, Caroline, Jacinta, Lanita, Louise and Sharon Numina, as well as Eddie Blitner, Reggie Sultan, Kenny Reid and Les Huddleston. The gallery also notes that other artists visit when they are in Darwin. Where possible, artists can paint in a section of the gallery, giving visitors the opportunity to see them working, ask about their paintings and hear about their culture and stories. Eddie Blitner is described as a regular, known for swift brushwork and the cross-hatched Rarrk style associated with Arnhem Land.

For people considering a purchase, Readback states that its paintings are hand-painted originals, signed by the artist and supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity. The certificate includes the artist’s name, the title and completion date, with further information and photographs where available. Most works are acrylic on cotton canvas, although other materials such as bark or Belgian canvas may be listed for individual pieces. The gallery also discusses commissions for customers seeking particular colours or sizes, along with framing, investment and corporate art services. Interstate and international customers can browse online and request additional photographs from the gallery’s selection.

Readback is a useful choice for solo visitors wanting to spend time with the artwork, travellers looking for a considered Darwin souvenir, or groups interested in meeting artists and learning more about individual pieces. Its acknowledgement of Larrakia Country and the Traditional Owners of the Darwin region is part of the gallery’s presentation. Staff say they can explain the stories behind paintings and help with selection, while the second-hand book shop adds an accessible entry point for visitors who may not be planning to buy art. The gallery is at 32 The Mall, Darwin.