Artworks will be available to be collected or shipped from Koorie Heritage Trust from Tuesday 24 February 2026 once the exhibition has closed. See our FAQ for more info.


Daniel Hills, Yorta Yorta
Between Rock And Hard Place, 2025
synthetic polymer and natural paints, polyurethane foam, canvas
90 x 120 x 8 cm

My mixed media work explores the evolution and the controversy of Aboriginal art. From ancient rock carvings and paintings to the vibrant dot paintings found today on fabrics, metal, and ceramic surfaces.

The etched or ochre-stained ancient rock art found on the surfaces of caves and rocky outcrops has been preserved for millennia, protected from the elements. These artworks are not only artistic but serve as profound representation of a symbolic language shaped by nature and spirituality. They encode Dreamtime stories, ancestral knowledge, sacred Lores and mapping landscapes through Songlines.

In contrast, dot painting has emerged as a contemporary art form that functions as a visual language through which Aboriginal artists continue cultural traditions in innovative ways. By incorporating modern materials and techniques, it creates a mix of abstraction and cultural continuity, reflecting how contemporary Aboriginal artists, myself included, reinterpret and reimagine our ancestral narratives while implementing our own modern context.

In my work, I have created a textured background that evokes the rugged rock formations commonly found in caves, which have historically served as natural canvases for artistic expression and storytelling for millennia. I have employed natural materials, including ochre and sand, to depict spiritual symbols in a traditional artistic style.

Emerged into the textured background is a patterned surface resembling a brick wall, symbolising a canvas often used by artists for contemporary artistic expression and storytelling. Using colourful acrylic paints, I have created a contemporary interpretation of Aboriginal art techniques.

The design represents the Rainbow Serpent, our creator, who serves as the connection between our modern community and our ancestral and spiritual beliefs

Is this transition between traditional and contemporary art styles controversial?

Perhaps. Some argue that contemporary Aboriginal art, risks losing its sacredness or cultural significance. But others see it as a powerful way to keep culture alive, where the heart of storytelling, kinship, and connection to Country is simply being adapted to the inevitable process of evolution.

This artwork is not a final statement, but an open question. It challenges viewers to consider how Indigenous art will continue to evolve while maintaining a deep cultural connection to our ancestral Dreamtime?