An international search for works by Australian Stolen Generations First Nations children has uncovered a historic drawing by a 13-year-old Noongar boy, dating back 70 years.

In July, efforts were made by Curtin University to have all the artworks recovered and returned to Noongar Country.

Upon hearing the international call to locate the lost artworks, a retired neonatal paediatrician, Doctor Patrick Pemberton, recognised a piece in his Manjimup home.

The piece was previously purchased by his father from the Foyles Art Gallery in London in 1951 before it astonishingly found its way back to Noongar Country.

The John Curtin Gallery were able to discern the artwork through a photo found in their archives of the artist, Ross Jones, at age 13 holding the same pastel drawing.

John Curtin Gallery's Carrolup Manager Kathleen Toomath, whose late mother Alma was the last-known surviving Carrolup artist said this was an incredible discovery.

"I find it incredible though that we reached out globally and into Europe to find an example of what we found locally," she said.

"A majority of works will reside within the south-west and great southern.

"But we're also aware of work now potentially coming from Minnesota in USA."

Ms Toomath said the family of the late Jones were shocked to learn of the discovery.

"They were quite incredulous and definitely needed seats," she said.

In the 1940s, Noongar children at the Carrolup Native Settlement created art that revealed a deep understanding of the Noongar Boodja Country.

The works were then transported around the world for more than 65 years, including a 40-year hiatus in storage at Colgate University in New York.

Ms Toomath herself was emotional when she found out about the discovery.

"I was very overwhelmed because this really was the answer to the exact thing we were asking for," she said.

"When I was considering if one or many would come through, my mind was like 'as long as we get one', and to get one that had such certain prominence and had been so well cared for is quite incredible.

"I can relate it to work of my mother's being found...and just to find her name written as a six-year-old that certainly revisited me."

Carrolup Elders Reference Group Chair Tony Hansen said the children's artworks held a special place in the country's reconciliation journey.

"These artworks show how young Aboriginal children – forcibly separated from their families, isolated, segregated, traumatised and living in an unknown place – still found beauty and connection to Country through their art," Mr Hansen said.

"They offer an enduring reminder that while racism seeks to destroy all that is good about a people, it never can."

The artwork will be on loan to the John Curtin Gallery until January 31, 2023.

Anyone who thinks they may have found an artwork by the Carrolup children are being urged to contact the John Curtin Gallery.