To gallery or not to gallery?

Todd Mall is the pedestrian heart of Alice Springs. It sports a range of shops and many galleries selling indigenous art. We have, thank goodness, moved on from the days of tea towels with stolen indigenous art on them.  But I have heard so many stories about the artists being exploited by galleries, I am reluctant to go into any of them...even if they have signs purporting to support community arts and one that sells 'proper indigenous art'.
















I do feel comfortable in suggesting a few,  of what I consider, 'must support' shops in the mall.

Red Kangaroo has an extensive selection of Australian books and literature of all genres. They also have an online shop with an ever-changing catalogue at: Red Kangaroo Books

Ininti gallery and gift shop sports all kinds of art, clothing, bags, jewellery, made by indigenous people from all over the globe. Siri Omberg, the owner is an accomplished jeweller and there are some of her lovely pieces in her shop. Siri also has a studio only five minutes walk from the town centre. Check out this link on Red Hot Arts.

Lovely Lesley from Leaping Lizards makes a visit to her shop almost mandatory. She is a delightful,

chatty and helpful person. Her gallery and shop are full of local arts and crafts with something

to suit most taste and pockets. Allow plenty of time to browse and chat. 

Not pictured here, are the indigenous women who sit under the trees and on the grass outside the Flynn Church and old hospital with their canvasses laid out in front of them. They are there most days, and definitely on market days and weekends. I really admire their determination. I happily bought one of these, probably a rather cliched bush tucker painting, because I knew my money was going straight to the source.