In a small building in one of the most northern, remote parts of Australia, lies the most significant community collection of Indigenous art in the country.

The decades-old bark paintings, which independent experts describe as priceless, were recently rescued from a termite-ridden storage room, once-damaged by a cyclone.

"The Djomi collection is indeed priceless," Aboriginal art curator at the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT [MAGNT] Luke Scholes said.

"There are many bark paintings that are simply irreplaceable and also really rare, cultural material items too."

The artwork and objects in the Djomi Museum tell the stories and history of generations of people from Maningrida, like Derek Carter whose family painted some of the bark.

"The museum is very important for the kids because the old people, when they put the museum, they put all the bark here," Mr Carter said.

"We've got to keep strong the culture for younger generations."

Artist Bob Burruwal said it was important to preserve the artwork for younger generations. ( ABC News: Lucy Marks )

The work of Bob Burruwal's father is also in the collection.

Burruwal, who is also an internationally renowned artist, said it was important to preserve the artwork for younger generations.

"We're giving them history, how to do that painting, or tell story or singing or dancing like that," he said.

"Because they want to keep history, they always tell us 'we want history story because learn, we have to learn, when you pass away we will take your place and tell the story for balanda [white person]'."

'Probably the best community collection'

The collection has slowly been restored since it was discovered the artworks were at risk of damage beyond repair, chief executive of the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation Karl Dyason said.

"There was damage to some artworks, there had been a couple of fires in the building, parts of the roof had collapsed, and several significant pieces were missing from the collection," he said.

"It was a shocking discovery for me, but the collection is well-known by a lot of people; they hadn't had access to it for a long time."

Bark paintings by Peter Marralwanga on display at the Djomi Museum in Maningrida. ( ABC News: Lucy Marks )

Termites had also infested the structure where the bark paintings were being stored, and water had leaked into the building.

Most of the bark paintings date back to the 1980s and 1990s, but some of the works are more than 50 years old.

"It really is probably the best community collection anywhere in Australia," Mr Scholes said.

"It has very specific relevance obviously to the Maningrida region, but on a national significance, it's comparable to the collections to some of the great institutions in the country, including the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria and MAGNT."

Significant contributor celebrated 'around the world'

Mr Scholes said probably the most significant artist whose work is on display at Djomi is John Mawurndjul, who now has a major exhibition showing at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney.

"John Mawurndjul has been celebrated in collections and exhibitions around the world and probably, right now, is one of the most famous living Aboriginal artists, and significant contributor to the Djomi Museum collection," Mr Scholes said.

Bark canoes made circa 1980 in the centre of the Djomi Museum. ( ABC News: Lucy Marks )

The small Djomi Museum is now displaying some of the artwork for the people of the community, but it is not yet open to the public.

Temperature in the rooms is controlled by small domestic air conditioners, and many artworks remain stacked in a hallway without room to be displayed.

"While this museum is in better condition, it's not in perfect condition," Mr Dyason said.

"We have some specially made cabinets to store some of the more precious barks. Others are on walls where no one can see them."

The Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation now has plans to move the collection to a purpose-built museum, which would see an expansion of the current Maningrida Art and Culture Centre.

The $18 million project has the support of the Northern Territory and Federal Government, but funding is yet to be secured, Mr Dyason said.