Charles Pearcy Mountford 1890-1976 developed a strong interest in Aboriginal art, customs and myths during his time as senior mechanic at Darwin Post Office, and subsequently was involved in several field trips between 1936-39.

He undertook lecture tours to U.S.A., recounting his findings 1945 and 1946.
As a result, he was invited to apply for a national Geographic Society grant to visit Arnhem Land.

This led in 1948 to a joint National Geographic -Smithsonian Institution expedition to Arnhem Land, in cooperation with the Australian Government. Arthur Caldwell, the Minister for Immigration and Information saw this as an opportunity to strengthen Australian-American scientific collaboration, and underwrote a larger expedition than originally was foreshadowed. See also https://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=1298 and American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhem Land, (1948). Records of the American-Australian scientific expedition to Arnhem Land, Melbourne : Melbourne University Press, 1956-1964

There were 10 Australians and 5 Americans in the final expedition commencing April 1948.

Charles Mountford, leader and photographer
Frank Setzler, deputy leader archaeologist Smithsonian Institution
David Johnson, mammologist Smithsonian Institution
Herbert Deignan, ornithologist Smithsonian Institution
Robert Miller, icthyologist Smithsonian Institution
Howell Walker, National Geographic representative
Brian Billington, medical officer National Institute of Anatomy Canberra
Kelvin Hodges, biochemist National Institue of Anatomy Canberra
Margaret McCarthy, nutritionalist National Institute of Anatomy Canberra
Frederick McCarthy, anthropologist Australian Museum
Ray Specht, botanist
Peter Basset-Smith, photographer
Reginal Hollow, cook
William Harney, guide
John Bray, transport officer
Bessie Mountford, Hon. Secretary (see also PRG 487/1/2 Diary No. 2 Arnhem Land expedition 4.6.48 to 31.7.48 )

Threee campsites were chosen to represent differing environments.

1. Unbukumba, Groote Eyeland: coral reefs, sandy beaches with eucalypt forests.
2. Yirrkala, Gove Peninsula: swamps and eucalypts.
3. Oenpelli (Gunbalanya): flood plains at base of rocky escarpment.

This collection looks at the paper drawings from this expedition.
Sheets of brown paper and materials (colours - crayons of the only colours available locally, i.e. red, yellow, black and white) were provided.
It was especially desired that nothing external should influence choice of:
*subject
*colours chosen
*method of drawing.
The Aboriginal artist was asked to make marks on his paper. After completion, through an interpreter, the artist was asked about the meanings of the various designs, and if possible, mythological ideas associated with them, and details recorded. Registration number of artist, and details were noted. The expedition number was also recorded.

Mountford spread his collection though many Institutions world wide, so this collection does not comprise all the drawings collected. It catalogues those examples held in the South Australian Museum archives - 10 in total.