Perth has several good commercial galleries specialising in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, and buying directly from reputable galleries is one of the better ways to bring something meaningful home from WA. The Northbridge precinct around the Perth Cultural Centre has the highest concentration, with galleries representing artists from remote WA communities — the Kimberley, the Western Desert, the Pilbara — where some of the most powerful contemporary Aboriginal art originates. Works range from affordable prints and small canvases to major pieces by established names.
When buying Aboriginal art, it is worth asking about provenance and artist payment: reputable galleries will be transparent about this, as there have historically been significant problems with exploitation of Indigenous artists in the commercial art market. Galleries associated with community art centres (which are artist-owned cooperatives operating in remote communities) generally have the clearest ethical supply chains. The Art Gallery of WA's collection is a good reference point for understanding the breadth and quality of the tradition before you buy. Shopping for art in Perth takes more effort than shopping for opals at the airport, but it is substantially more rewarding.