Australia Investigates Fake Aboriginal Art
A parliamentary inquiry in Australia is investigating fake Aboriginal art and craft. The committee has heard from campaigners in Western Australia that up to 90 percent of Indigenous art sold in souvenir shops was fake and imported from overseas.
Indigenous artists say that current laws protecting Aboriginal art in Australia are inadequate and that people trying to sell fake art should be fined.
Campaigners in Western Australia estimate that the vast majority of the pieces sold in the state's souvenir stores were counterfeit and shipped in from overseas.
They are calling for better education to help the buying public be more aware of the sensitivities surrounding fakes. Some of the copies are mass produced in Indonesia and shipped for sale, mostly to foreign tourists, in Australia. Other pieces are made in China.
The trade in fakes not only takes income away from the artists producing authentic items. Aboriginal groups say that passing off paintings as Indigenous is disrespectful to their ancient culture. Tribal art is focused on folklore and used to express Indigenous beliefs, including the sanctity of the Earth and stories of creation.
The fake art and craft trade is not against the law in Australia unless imported souvenirs falsely claim to be authentic. Many souvenir shops stock boomerangs, paintings, tea towels and ashtrays that have Indigenous themes.
There are fears that the flood of counterfeit items featuring Indigenous imagery and symbols is pricing genuine products out of the market.
