Adrian and Anne began their involvement with the creation and subsequent bloom/boom of the Aboriginal art market in 1980. Their art collection is an intimate one, built through personal relationships, serendipity, and a keen sense of historical and cultural importance. It is a platform by which a different narrative can be told: that of art as an expression of relationships, culture, spirituality, the land and kinship.

The Newstead Collection comprises more than 1000 canvas paintings, barks, artefacts, prints, posters and sculptures. It represents a linear history of Aboriginal art and craft from the earliest days of the movement, through to the establishment of the first art centres and, beyond this, into the mainstreaming of Aboriginal art and its national and international acceptance as a dynamic contemporary art movement.

The 70 works that were selected by Mundine for the touring exhibition represented a linear history of Aboriginal art and craft from the earliest days of the movement, through to the establishment of the earliest art centres and beyond this, to the mainstreaming of Aboriginal art and its national and international acceptance as a dynamic contemporary art movement.

There is a strong emphasis on printmaking as Adrian Newstead was instrumental in initiating this medium amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. He published hundreds of limited editions, as well as organising and promoting Australian Indigenous prints on the international stage. This exhibition includes rare examples of early prints, as well as those by several of indigenous Australias most important printmakers.

During Adrian and Anne Newsteads 30-year involvement, black art has moved inexorably onto white walls, subtly affecting the many millions of people who have come to live with and love it. Many would say that the Aboriginal art movement has been the single most effective vehicle in advancing understanding, empathy and reconciliation between black and white Australia.