WORDS BY ALLEY PASCOE PHOTOS BY HELEN ORRΒ
Welcome to the vibrant world of the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), where culture and science meet on Larrakia and Arrernte CountryΒ
Overlooking Darwin Harbour at Bullocky Point, the MAGNT flagship stands tall. As the premier cultural institution of the Northern Territory since 1981, the hallowed halls of the museum take visitors on a journey through fascinating collections reflecting the Territory and our neighbours in Southeast Asia. Every year, MAGNT attracts over 300,000 visitors, who marvel at the grandeur of Sweetheart the crocodile, feel the force of a natural disaster in the Cyclone Tracy experience, and admire masterpieces from worldclass artists. Come on inβ¦Β
PRIDE OF THE NATION: The Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA), are the longest running and most prestigious awards for Indigenous artists in the country, and they call MAGNT home. This exhibition celebrates the diverse artistic practices of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait art from across Australia.Β
AHOY, MATE: At the Colin Jack Hinton Maritime Gallery youβll find tales of adventures amidst a sea of maritime vessels. Donβt miss the recently reinstalled Pygmy Blue Whale skeleton in all its glory. Itβs β quite literally β unmissable.Β
HISTORY IN THE MAKING Step back in time with the βUnruly Days: Territory life 1911 β 1921β exhibition, which paints a vivid picture of the challenges and triumphs that shaped the region during a pivotal era. Dig even deeper at the historic Fannie Bay Gaol, the Northern Territoryβs longest running prison which opened in 1883 and closed in 1979. Here you can download the audio tour to hear previously untold stories. Further south at the Museum of Central Australia in Alice Springs, βA Frontier Journey: photographs by Otto Tschirn 1915β18β offers another glimpse into the Territoryβs early years.Β
A LIBRARY OF LIFE The natural science collection at MAGNT includes over 1 million specimens from rocks and minerals, fossils, insects to birds and worms to whales. This invaluable collection is an important tool for research, education, conservation and environmental assessment in Australia and around the world. The collection tells the story of biodiversity on earth and, in recent times, the influence of humans in the system.Β
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, 19 Conacher St, The Gardens NT 0820
Website – http://www.magnt.net.au Instagram – http://www.instagram.com/mag_nt/
