"Yuendumu doors" exhibition opened for the first time in Vietnam

The exhibition features 15 of 30 doors painted by Warlpiri elders at the Yuendumu community school. They represent Warlpiri people's very first experiment with acrylic paint - a western art medium - to detail their daily lives and their dreaming - the aboriginal belief system about the creation of the world. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, HE Ms Robyn Mudie, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam said: "This collection demonstrates not only a valuable part of Australia's unique indigenous culture - one of the world oldest living cultures - but also demonstrates how cultural heritage can be passed down through generations. We are pleased to continue working with the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to showcase Australia's indigenous culture to a Vietnamese audience and deepen the understanding between the two countries".

As announced, this international touring exhibition was developed by the South Australian Museum in partnership with the National Museum of Australia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The South Australian Museum is where the actual doors are now conserved and displayed, after surviving the desert wind and sun for 12 years at Yuendumu school.

Each door is not only a masterpiece but also an invaluable repository of Warlpiri knowledge and history.