When purchasing Indigenous art how do we know how transparent the transaction is? What do we know about the artists? And how much of the profits go directly to them? And do we really protect the rights of our Indigenous Artists whilst at the same time being aware of what we are purchasing as consumers.
The dealing and purchasing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork can be an exciting experience for us as consumers but it can also be a challenge for those Indigenous artists trying to navigate a path through the industry. Indigenous art can be bright, bold, diverse and eclectic yet the Indigenous art and craft industry also has a dark side. The expression “enslaved to make art” is being used to describe the way some Indigenous artists have been exploited and ripped off for their own art, and sometimes, of their freedom of choice.
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