Many of us love the vibrance and beauty of cultural arts, often wanting to have them in our homes. However, though it is great that non-indigenous Australians show appreciation for Aboriginalpieces, they still have a long way to go before they fully understand their true value.
You must consider many factors when installing indigenous wall art décor in your home. After all, purchasing these wonderful creations is not as straightforward as it sounds.
If you truly wish to support Australian indigenous artists, follow our guide in ethically purchasing Aboriginal Australian art.
Learn About Aboriginal Art
Aboriginal artwork is not just an artistic creation – these pieces tell stories, cultures, deep knowledge, and survival teachings that have existed for hundreds of years. These artworks showcase the indigenous people of Australia and how they remained strong.
Before you decide to purchase Aboriginal art to display in your home, learning about their history and why they hold so much value is paramount. This way, you can develop a deeper appreciation for the Aboriginal community.
Choose Ethical Sellers
We highly recommend purchasing Aboriginal artwork from individual artists. A great step would be to get to know them firstto gain insight into the work and its meaning personally and culturally.
But if you are buying from dealers and organisations, remember to ask the following questions to ensure authenticity and ethics:
- Who is the artist?
- Where did the artist come from?
- How did you obtain the artwork?
- How was the artist paid for the piece?
- How is the artist paid for licensing and royalties if the painting is a reproduction?
By asking these questions, you can find out if the organisation is ethical in getting the artworks and whether the aboriginal artists are receiving proper credit and pay.
Additionally, ethical businesses will not hesitate to answer questions and can present certificates to authenticate the pieces. A company that has partnered with multiple artists is usually a good sign.
Beware of Counterfeits
Despite several laws protecting Aboriginal artworks enacted by the Australian government, many forgeries are still mass-sold online or in community halls. Avoid buying any of these fake artworks once you identify them.
The importance of research is highlighted when buying aboriginal art. Legitimate and ethically-obtained artwork has the following:
- Is labelled or accompanied with information stating who the artist is and where they are from
- Sales staff can provide the names of the artists and how they are paid
- Information about where the item was created and by whom
- Photographs of the artist painting the artwork
If you spot fake art, report it immediately to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
The Bottom line
Purchasing aboriginal art is a great way to support the indigenous communities of Australia, but you need thorough research to ensure they are ethically obtained. Be sure to authenticate any piece before investing.
If you wish to purchase aboriginal art prints, we recommend Urban Road.
Urban Road has collaborated with the Warlukurlangu Artist Community of Yuendumu&Nyirripi in the Northern Territory, Australia, to create a collection of Aboriginal artworks.
