We acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and give respect to their Elders, past and present.

Read our Statement of Reflection

Your Cart

Your cart is empty right now...

Discover what's on
Your Stuff
Lists
No lists found
Create list
List name
0 Saved items
Updated: a few seconds ago
Getting Started
Get started with Your Stuff

A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, list and share your favourite collection items and articles. This account will give you access to Your Stuff, NFSA Player and Pro. You will need to create an additional account for Canberra event tickets.

Confirm
Skip to main content
National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

Hermannsburg Potters

1996

Hermannsburg Potters

1996

  • NFSA IDGX61GHRD
  • TypeFilm
  • MediumMoving Image
  • FormDocumentary
  • Duration50 mins
  • GenresIndigenous themes or stories, Indigenous as subject
  • Year1996
  • WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons

The Hermannsburg Potters are a group of Aranda women in Central Australia who formed an arts centre in Hermannsburg (Ntaria), Northern Territory. The women-only Hermannsburg Potters started in 1990 when senior law man Nashasson Ungwanaka invited ceramicist Naomi Sharp to teach members of the community.

Hermannsburg has a rich history as one of the birthplaces of contemporary Aboriginal art. It was here that the watercolour art movement started and where internationally recognised artist Albert Namatjira painted.

The artists create beautifully painted pots, often with sculptured lids. The artists draw on many influences, but the pots strongly reflect the distinctive visual Aboriginal culture of Central Australia.

The subtitles in this silent clip provide an essential description of what we are seeing. The images of the surrounding landscape, including the flyover at the start, are beautiful and give us a wonderful idea of the environment and inspiration for the artists.

Footage of the community and the women creating their pots is shot and edited sensitively. It doesn't feel like we are intruding on their lives or practice.

Courtesy of
CAAMA Productions
  • WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons

The Hermannsburg Potters are a group of Aranda women in Central Australia who formed an arts centre in Hermannsburg (Ntaria), Northern Territory. The women-only Hermannsburg Potters started in 1990 when senior law man Nashasson Ungwanaka invited ceramicist Naomi Sharp to teach members of the community.

Hermannsburg has a rich history as one of the birthplaces of contemporary Aboriginal art. It was here that the watercolour art movement started and where internationally recognised artist Albert Namatjira painted.

The artists create beautifully painted pots, often with sculptured lids. The artists draw on many influences, but the pots strongly reflect the distinctive visual Aboriginal culture of Central Australia.

The subtitles in this silent clip provide an essential description of what we are seeing. The images of the surrounding landscape, including the flyover at the start, are beautiful and give us a wonderful idea of the environment and inspiration for the artists.

Footage of the community and the women creating their pots is shot and edited sensitively. It doesn't feel like we are intruding on their lives or practice.

Courtesy of
CAAMA Productions
  • Production company
    CAAMA Productions
Industry professional? Go Pro

Need to license this item? A/V professionals and researchers can shortlist licensing enquiries via our NFSA Pro catalogue search and membership.

Get started with PRO

Collections to explore

  • 1990s

  • Sculpture

  • First Nations artists

  • Start your own collection

    A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, organise and share your favourite videos, audio and stories.

More in Stories+

Personalized your experience

Save, create and share

With NFSA Your Stuff