World Vision voices concerns for Indigenous artists

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

World Vision Australia has called for renewed measures to clean up the Indigenous art industry, ensuring the artists' rights are top of mind and a ‘best practice’ approach is adopted across the board.

A leader in the ethical trade of Indigenous art, World Vision has responded to a statement from The Hon Peter Garrett MP on the issue.

The Federal Government statement will follow the findings of a 2007 Senate Inquiry on the appalling conditions and issues facing outback artists.

The Senate Inquiry exposed the vulnerability of Indigenous artists to exploitation by a few private traders, who sometimes pay considerably less than the market value, or inappropriately swap works for material goods.

World Vision, through its Birrung gallery in Sydney, sent one of the eighty submissions to the Senate Inquiry. By leading through example, the ethically-run gallery hopes to encourage other galleries to follow suit.

Birrung Gallery Manager, Greg Mallyon commented on behalf of World Vision.

“World Vision has the best interests of Indigenous Australian artists at mind when developing and interacting with art centres for the purpose of sale.”

“Beyond commercial transactions, we seek to build the capacity of artists and art centres. We encourage all galleries and traders to adopt similar practices to ensure the industry’s sustainability,” he said.
 
Since the inquiry, the Senate has recommended a voluntary code of conduct to regulate the industry. Foreseeing inadequacies in this, World Vision is calling for a national code of conduct embodying stricter enforceable legislation.

World Vision is encouraging government to offer greater support to art centres in outback Australia, ensuring that ethical practices are adhered to. These centres are vital in protecting the livelihoods of artists, many of whom have no knowledge of the commercial art industry.

World Vision recognises that a two-fold education process, involving the artists and the Australian art-buying public, is critical if the industry is to change for the better.

“It was also found that often remote Indigenous artists know little of their artistic rights, contributing to their own exploitation.  Inadvertently the art-buying public are often unaware that they are supporting artist exploitation when buying Indigenous art,” added Mallyon.

The Birrung Gallery works with over thirty remote art centres and over four hundred artists sourcing all of its art through ethical supply chains.

Funds generated from the gallery contribute to World Vision projects in Indigenous communities advocating for the rights of its artists.

For further information, visit the Birrung Gallery.

Media contact: Tara Likami, (03) 9287 2359 or 0415 709 520

Media Releases, Indigenous Australians, Asia and the Pacific, Aboriginal, Art, Australian Government, Indigenous

Back to all Results