Fake Art Harms Culture

Background

‘Fake Art Harms Culture’ is a campaign to lobby the Australian Government to address the proliferation of fake Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and art products. This includes lobbying the government to introduce legislation to stop the production and sale of artworks and artefacts appropriating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and designs.

The campaign was created to address widespread concerns about the sale of artworks that ‘look and feel’ like Indigenous art but have no connection to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture or communities.

These commercially-produced goods – mostly aimed at the tourist market – are often made from non-traditional materials and feature inauthentic and culturally inappropriate designs. They range from bamboo didgeridoos to key rings to paintings.

Why is fake art growing?

The profile of Indigenous art has grown tremendously in recent decades, creating earning and income opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and contributing to the preservation and dissemination of culture.

However, the increased awareness, reputation and value of Indigenous art has also grown the market in fake art products and merchandise; the production of which has a significant negative impact in at least four ways:

1. It misappropriates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and undermines the role of communities;
2. it denies Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists economic and other opportunities;
3. it deceives and misleads buyers; and
4. it disadvantages ethical businesses who take a culturally empathetic approach to indigenous art sales.

The campaign

Proposed new legislation

Since its launch in Darwin in 2016, there has been widespread interest and support for the ‘Fake Art Harms Culture’ campaign including extensive media coverage.

The most significant achievement, however, has been the introduction of a Private Members Bill by Mr Bob Katter MP, Member for Kennedy. It proposes new legislation to help prevent the exploitation of Indigenous culture and the deception of consumers regarding the authenticity of arts and craft goods they are buying.

In February 2017, to coincide with the introduction of the Bill, a delegation of artists and representatives from advocacy organisations met with the Coalition, Labour and Independent MPs.

Details of Bob Katter’s proposed legislation can be found here

For more information see the Fake Art Harms Culture Discussion Paper

Inquiry into the growing presence of inauthentic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ‘style’ art and craft products and merchandise for sale across Australia. The inquiry was referred by Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion.

The Committee invited interested persons and organisations to make submissions addressing the terms of reference.  Submissions closed Friday, 3 November 2017.

Terms of Reference

Campaign Updates

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