Gallery of Central Australia launches at Ayers Rock Resort, Uluru

It's not often there's an opportunity to mark an official opening and a one-year anniversary on the same night, let alone the dramatic unveiling of what represents a bold new canvas for artists of the world's oldest continuous living culture.

But not even the remotest parts of the nation, let alone the world, have been untouched by the upheaval of the past two years.

That's exactly what happened – the official opening and anniversary – at Uluru recently when Voyages, operators of Ayers Rock Resort, finally launched its privately-funded Gallery of Central Australia (GoCA) which opened with little fanfare just over 12 months ago.

GoCA preempts long-held plans, mired in controversy, for a similar Indigenous art institution at nearby Alice Springs (well, nearby in Territory terms - Alice is five hours or so by road north-east of Uluru).

Some 300 artworks are displayed at GoCA, from established and emerging artists exclusively from Central Australia and the Western Desert region, along with specially curated items like punu (traditional local Anangu wood carvings) and hand-made pieces by local communities.

Matthew Cameron-Smith, chief executive of Voyages, says that such Central Australian communities now have their own platform from which to showcase their stunning works, allowing them to be remunerated fairly and ethically.

"It was critically important for us to provide an opportunity for up-and-coming regional artists," he says, many of whom live in remote areas rarely visited by travellers."

Despite the constant, and devastating, disruptions to travel, to date, more than 1100 consignments have been purchased at the gallery, resulting in welcome income for the local artists. The gradual return of affluent international tourists is expected to further drive sales.