Is painting Aboriginal Art illegal?

Only artists from certain tribes are allowed to adopt the dot technique. Where the artist comes from and what culture has informed his/her’s tribe will depend on what technique can be used. It is considered both disrespectful and unacceptable to paint on behalf of someone else’s culture. It is simply not permitted.

Is it OK to buy Aboriginal art?

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artworks are highly valued pieces. It’s important because, for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, art sales can be the main source of income for themselves and those around them.

How do you authenticate Aboriginal art?

There is currently no mandatory system regulating how to authenticate works of art made by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person or group. Since the Label of Authenticity ceased use, individual artists and organisations have created their own certificates of authenticity that are attached to art products.

What is considered rude in Aboriginal culture?

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, avoidance of eye contact is customarily a gesture of respect. In Western society averting gaze can be viewed as being dishonest, rude Page 2 or showing lack of interest.

Why do Aboriginal artists use dots?

The artists decided to eliminate the sacred elements and abstracted the designs into dots to conceal their sacred designs which they used in ceremony. During ceremonies Aboriginal people would clear and smooth over the soil to then apply sacred designs which belonged to that particular ceremony.

Is dot painting aboriginal?

Dot paintings are now internationally recognised as unique and integral to Australian Aboriginal Art. Dot painting originated 40 years ago back in 1971. Geoffrey Bardon was assigned as an art teacher for the children of the Aboriginal people in Papunya, near Alice Springs.

How much is Aboriginal painting worth?

The price range is from $125 for an original artwork up to the most expensive painting we would have would be about $155,000. It’s a broad range. The vast majority of artworks would be in the low to high hundreds and the low thousands, so the vast majority are affordable.

Is it legal to sell fake Indigenous art?

The judgment, although welcome, does not make it illegal to sell fake Aboriginal Art as long as misleading representations are not made about the authenticity of the products. Up to 80% of Aboriginal souvenir products sold are fake art or have not been made under a fair and transparent licensing agreement.