Art and Object collection
This collection reflects the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural expression.

Designed and created by Lee Darroch, a Yorta Yorta, Mutti Mutti and Boon Wurrung artist , the AIATSIS possum skin cloak tells the story of AIATSIS as a national cultural institution. Completed in 2017 this is the first time the story of AIATSIS has been represented in an Indigenous cultural form. As part of the living and dynamic culture the cloak is the first artistic acquisition intended to be worn by AIATSIS representatives on significant occasions. The cloak design features canoe forms that navigate shared waterways depicting the linking of different parts of AIATSIS and representing the flow of materials and knowledge between communities and AIATSIS. Starting from top left and moving clockwise the designs are; Circular forms representing the vast, diverse and unique recorded collection of songs, dance, ceremonies, and language from communities across the country; fishing nets represented by interwoven lines which symbolically reflect AIATSIS' role and functions - the harvesting and sharing of knowledge and information through research, the library and Aboriginal Studies Press publications; A bold sinuous line which represents the land and language connections between past and present peoples, as well as acknowledging AIATSIS' role in supporting native title and language revival; the basket weave design represents how knowledge of family connections weaves us all back together as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; the three diamond shapes at the base of the cloak represent the fundamental importance of law/lore and ceremony to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture as the foundation to our identity and being; and the Eaglehawk feathers morphing into Crow feathers, which represent the 1974 letter by the Eaglehawk and Crow group to the Council demanding that Indigenous people were represented in the organisation and decision making of the Institute.