The best fashion and gift stores Alice Springs

A 5-minute drive from the center, contemporary art lovers will appreciate Tangentyere, a non-profit organization working in the "town camps", small aboriginal social housing areas scattered around the city. The artists often paint on site, and have a rather unique style. They mostly represent scenes of everyday life in bright colors. Tangentyere offers paintings, but also original t-shirts, very trendy in Alice, jewelry and other accessories, perfect for those looking for ethical souvenirs.

Among the art galleries at Todd Mall, the one not to be missed is Papunya Tula. In 1971, a non-Aboriginal teacher encouraged the Papunya men of the desert west of Alice to paint the school walls. Their response was enthusiastic, and led to the first uses of dot painting on canvas (previously used for body paint, floor paint, etc.). The artists then launched Papunya Tula, which is wholly owned by the Luritja and Pintupi artists, and produces colorful paintings representing ancestral lands and myths.

An NGO known for the quality and originality of its art, Tjanpi desert weavers work in desert communities in the NT, Western Australia and South Australia border areas. Tjanpi means grass in Pitjantjara, and the works shown (and sold) are all made of organic materials, especially spinifex, the "porcupine" grass found in the desert areas of the Red Centre. You'll find beautiful baskets, but mostly lizards, birds and other creatures in fabulous shapes and colors!