Art Returns to Country: Leading Artists Unite for Bundjalung-led Fundraiser
Blak Douglas - Moby Dickens
Works by Bronwyn Bancroft, Blak Douglas, Karla Dickens, Tracey Moffatt, Craig Ruddy and more are helping fund Indigenous-led arts, culture and wellbeing programs on Bundjalung Country.
An extraordinary collection of work by some of Australia’s leading First Nations and contemporary artists is going under the virtual hammer to support culture, creativity and community on Bundjalung Country.
The Returning Indigenous Corporation has launched Return to Country, an online art auction raising vital funds for the organisation’s Indigenous-led arts and cultural programs across the Northern Rivers.
Running until Sunday 1 November, the auction features generously donated paintings, prints, sculptures and mixed-media works by artists including Bronwyn Bancroft, Blak Douglas, Craig Ruddy, Karla Dickens, Tracey Moffatt, Adnate, Shaun Daniel Allen (Shal), Heath Wae, Kitty Callaghan, Rubyrose Bancroft, Marcie O’Neill, Dan Kyle and Sarah Darling.
Highlights from the collection include Craig Ruddy’s Two Worlds, Marcie O’Neill’s Love Song in E Minor, Adnate’s All I See, Bronwyn Bancroft’s From the Hands of My Ancestors and Blak Douglas’ Moby Dickens.
Art as medicine
The Returning is a Bundjalung-led, Indigenous women-led not-for-profit supporting mothers, families, Elders, young people, Country, culture and kin across the Northern Rivers.
Founded by Bundjalung woman Ella Noah Bancroft, the organisation creates culturally safe spaces for healing and connection while providing employment opportunities for Indigenous women, Elders and youth.
For The Returning, creative expression is not separate from community health. It is central to its understanding of culture, identity and wellbeing.
“Arts and culture are woven through everything we do, Creative expression isn't separate from wellbeing - it is wellbeing. Our programs align with the holistic understanding of Indigenous Social and Emotional Wellbeing, which recognises that health encompasses social, emotional, spiritual, and cultural dimensions, not just the physical.” - Ella Noah Bancroft, Founder and CEO of The Returning
Funds raised through the auction will directly support arts and cultural programming across The Returning’s community initiatives, including its Artist Residency, Bundjalung Bush Food Nursery, Elders Retreats and the creative practices woven throughout its cultural and wellbeing programs.
Among the programs supported is the Bulaan Dalang Galii Naa Gan Ngaa Leen Duu Artist Residency, a 12-month initiative supporting emerging First Nations creatives on Bundjalung Country.
Culture, care and connection
The Returning’s work spans generations and reflects a holistic approach to community wellbeing.
Its Bugalma Elder Healing Retreats provide holistic care and cultural connection for Elders, while the Mother Care Program delivers six weeks of postpartum support and bush food meals for new mothers.
The Doobai Bundjalung Bush Food Program creates opportunities for cultural education and employment for Indigenous youth. Bundjalung Language Classes support language revitalisation across the region, while Family Connection Camps bring generations together for cultural immersion on Country.
Through these programs, The Returning strengthens connections between mothers, families, Elders, young people, culture and Country.
The Return to Country auction offers the wider community an opportunity to acquire significant work by leading artists while directly supporting this Indigenous-led vision for cultural strength, healing and creative expression.
How to bid
The Return to Country online art auction is open to the public until Sunday 1 November 2026.
Browse the full catalogue and place bids at airauctioneer.com/the-returning-art-auction.
Learn more about The Returning at thereturning.com.au or follow @the_returning_ on Instagram.