A B O U T    U S

Venita Poblocki is the owner & Director of This Is Aboriginal Art Gallery and Studio in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), Northern Territory. Drawing from a base of 17 years in the Australian Art industry, Venita has a breadth of industry knowledge. 

After completing a Masters Degree in Arts Administration (Curatorship) at UNSW’s College of Fine Arts, she commenced her career working as a Junior Aboriginal Art Specialist at Lawson Menzies Auctioneers. Venita moved on to manage Kate Owen Gallery and later, Aboriginal Art Galleries in Sydney. Following this, Venita was the Curator at Willoughby City Council and initiated and implemented the Willoughby Visual Arts Biennial which continues to this day. Venita was also appointed Curator for the highly regarded John Fries Art Award in 2011 & 2012. After completing a Masters Degree in Arts Administration (Curatorship) at UNSW’s College of Fine Arts, she commenced her career working as a Junior Aboriginal Art Specialist at Lawson Menzies Auctioneers. Venita moved on to manage Kate Owen Gallery and later, Aboriginal Art Galleries in Sydney. Following this, Venita was the Curator at Willoughby City Council and initiated and implemented the Willoughby Visual Arts Biennial which continues to this day. Venita was also appointed Curator for the highly regarded John Fries Art Award in 2011 & 2012. In 2017, Venita moved to Alice Springs to start her own art gallery and studio, specialising in her passion. Venita is currently Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Aboriginal Art Association of Australia, as well as an Executive Member of the Art Consulting Association of Australia.

Having spent her formative years growing up in the outback of South Australia, Venita’s interest in Aboriginal culture started from a young age. Early engagement with Aboriginal people was a privilege from which many Australians do not benefit, and it nurtured her utmost respect for the world’s oldest living culture. It was through her developing interest in artistic modes of articulating culture that she came to Aboriginal art. 

Founding long-term working relationships with Indigenous artists from the Central and Western Desert regions of Australia, This Is Aboriginal Art strives to champion Aboriginal art to national and international audiences. This Is Aboriginal Art assists artists in building their careers, and recognises the importance of artistic cultural expression and the benefits of a long-term career for an artist. This Is Aboriginal Art places ethics at the forefront and works respectfully and fairly with both independent artists and art centres. 

Jasmine grew up in an artistic family in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, and was raised to have a deep appreciation for the natural environment and the benefits of creative practice. Her lifelong interest in the complex cultural history of the continent was solidified after moving to Mparntwe in 2021, where she gained the opportunity to explore her personal passions in a professional environment. Jasmine specialises in administrative assistance, overseeing the intake of artworks from the studio and managing the gallery website and social media profiles. She assists with sales and is a point of contact for clients, works closely with artists, and curates content for media projects, such as writing informative pieces for our Resources page. Jasmine had the recent pleasure of working as artist liaison and accompanying the 2023 Winner of the National Capital Art Prize, Genevieve Loy Kamara, on a celebratory visit to Canberra.

Steffi the Staffy specialises in maintaining high spirits for all gallery-goers, and also works part-time as a vacuum cleaner, ensuring the floor is free of any tasty debris.