Interest in Aboriginal art has grown exponentially over the past few decades, both in Australia and around the world. No longer seen as simply ethnographic, Aboriginal art has the world’s longest continuously evolving art tradition and has evolved into one of the most exciting new forms of modern art.

Colin and Elizabeth Laverty, sharing an equal passion for contemporary art, began collecting Aboriginal art twenty years ago. Beyond Sacred showcases the depth of the their collection. They have travelled widely in central, western and northern Australia and visited various Aboriginal communities, some many times. They firmly believe that contemporary Aboriginal art is as interesting in every way as any other contemporary art, and at home the Lavertys hang Indigenous and non-Indigenous art intermingled. Their collection includes works that have been exhibited in museums and contemporary art galleries throughout Australia and overseas and has been described as the ‘the most important private collection of Indigenous art in the country’ (Nicolas Rothwell, North Australia correspondent for The Australian newspaper).

This comprehensive, visually stunning survey of the very best in contemporary Aboriginal art features internationally renowned artists such as Rover Thomas, Emily Kngwarreye and John Mawurndjul as well as newer discoveries such as Alma Webou and Christine Yukenbarri.

The book includes contributions from some of the most eminent art scholars working in Australia, including Professor Howard Morphy, Director of the Research School of Humanities at the Australian National University, Judith Ryan, Senior Curator of Indigenous Art at the National Gallery of Victoria, Nick Waterlow, Director of a number of Sydney Biennales and Will Owen, an American collector, commentator, and writer of the blog Aboriginal Art & Culture: An American Eye. The book also features region-specific essays by local art advisors, discussing the artists and art traditions in their remote communities.

The Lavertys have lent, by request, more than 300 different artworks (about half Indigenous) to more than 60 galleries in Australia, including the National, all state and many regional galleries. Their paintings have also been lent to prestigious museums in 11 countries overseas, including the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, the Hayward Gallery in London and the Tinguely Museum in Basel.

Beyond Sacred has recently been chosen in the Australian Art Market Report’s list of top ten books of the year. It has been been awarded a Distinction at the Australian Graphic Design Association awards, 2008 and won the Diamond award at the Printing Industries Craftsmanship Awards, 2008.