Australian artwork at the Booker-Lowe Gallery in Houston, TX (photo by Kenn Stearns)

The Booker-Lowe Gallery is one of few U.S. galleries dedicated to Aboriginal Australian fine art. The word Aboriginal is used to describe all Indigenous Australians, the original inhabitants that were once 100% of the population but over the years have dwindled to less than 3%. There is a great deal of diversity within the Indigenous population of Australia – they’re essentially spread across various communities with hundreds of dialects, from Noongar and Yamatji in Western Australia to Murri and Murrdi in Queensland.

In 2008, I had the pleasure to meet gallery owners – Nana Booker AM (who also serves as Australia’s Honorary Consul of the State of Texas) and M. David Lowe. I believe the “AM” after Nana’s name designates she is a member of the Order of Australia, an order of chivalry established by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia in 1975 and is directly or indirectly connected to her consul status. The two personally select paintings, prints, and carvings for the gallery during their visits to Australia.

In many cases, the meanings of the artwork in the gallery extend well beyond mere visual appeal. Most of the pieces are figuratively multi-dimensional – they tell a story or can be identified to a family, community, or geographic place despite appearing to the uninitiated as little more than geometric shapes. A visit to the gallery is well worth the time.

Sam Lovell, Living Legend of the Kimberley, Western Australia, stands in front of the Booker-Lowe Gallery (photo by Kenn Stearns)