Video series highlights harm caused by fake First Nations art
First Nations artists and industry workers share their experiences with fake First Nations art and the effect it has on their lives, communities and culture.
Photo: Some of the First Nations artists featured in the video series, L to R: Matilda Nona, Toby Cedar, Melissa Stannard and Delvene Cockatoo-Collins.
In a new video series, First Nations artists and industry workers share their experiences regarding the effect fake art has on First Nations artists and their communities.
Yulwallaraay Gamilaraay artist Melissa Stannard, said protecting art and culture ‘means everything’ for mob.
‘Our heart and soul, our DNA, our blood, our passion … Everything we make has our story in it, has our lineage, our heritage.’
Torres Strait Islander artist Toby Cedar agrees.
‘Those artworks aren’t just paintings or sculptures, they’re stories and our identity of who we are, where we’re from … and only our stories to tell.’
But what exactly is ‘fake art’? Wulli Wulli Woman and artist Arabella Walker describes it as ‘art that’s not real, it has been copied by someone with zero connection to the work and has basically been ripped off.’
There are 5 short videos in the series, which not only highlight the impact fake First Nations art can have on artists, their communities and culture, but encourages consumers to make informed choices when purchasing First Nations style art, souvenirs and merchandise.
Topics include:
- What does fake or inauthentic art mean to you?
- What would you like consumers to know before purchasing Indigenous art?
- Have you experienced cultural harm because someone used your artwork without permission?
- Why is the protection of Indigenous cultural and intellectual property important?
- What would protecting your art and culture mean for you and your mob?
The Office for the Arts is working in partnership with First Nations experts to develop new laws to address the harm caused by fake First Nations style art, merchandise and souvenirs. The video series complements this work by raising awareness among consumers of the issue and steps they can take to check a product’s authenticity.
For more information about what we’re doing to protect Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights and the harm caused by fake art, visit the Office for the Arts’ website.
Artists interviewed and artworks featured in the video series include: Darren Blackman, Toby Cedar, Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, Florence Gutchen (Erub Arts), Lena de Jersey (Wei’Num Arts), Matilda Nona (Maza Collection), Susan Reys (Kgari 3 Sisters), Lauren Rogers, Obery Sambo, Melissa Stannard and Arabella Walker.
The video series was filmed at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair on Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji and Yirrganydji Country.
For more information
Watch the videos: www.arts.gov.au/ICIP-videos