‘An unjustified attack’: APY Land collective hits out at probe, critics
By Linda Morris
Leaders of the APY Art Centre Collective have rejected calls for its general manager to stand down and said its artists had been under “unjustified and sustained attack” following allegations of interference by white assistants in the creation of Indigenous art.
In a rare public statement, the board of the APY Art Centre Collective on Wednesday described allegations of unethical practices as false and criticised the scope of a South Australian government-led probe into its operations.
At the same time, artist Sally Scales, the collective’s cultural liaison and spokesperson, said there had been an “element of tall poppy syndrome” in the criticism.
National Gallery of Australia council member and APY Arts Centre Collective cultural liaison and spokesperson, Sally Scales, has recused herself from the NGA investigation.
“This two-state inquiry co-signed by the federal government is looking at us, just us, not more broadly,” she told this masthead. “I think they could have had a proper investigation of the whole Indigenous art industry.”
Two investigations are underway into reports by The Australian newspaper that the collective used studio assistants on paintings meant to represent Dreamtime stories and sacred knowledge.
The National Gallery of Australia has postponed its major winter show pending the findings of an independent review into the provenance of the 28 paintings originating from the collective. That review is expected to report early next month.
A separate tri-government probe will focus on the collective’s governance, production practices, and whether the studio provided a safe workplace for its artists. South Australia is leading the inquiry as the collective’s major funder.
The National Gallery of Australia has delayed its winter showcase of Indigenous art.Credit: James Brickwood
The review panel is being led by solicitor Anne Sibree, Menang woman Megan Krakouer and Quandamooka man Cameron Costello, after Indigenous academic Brenda Croft was initially approached.
Croft, a professor of Indigenous art history at the Australian National University, said she was later told she was not the correct fit after seeking clarification about the inquiry’s scope and questioning aspects of the review. She has warned the controversy threatens the standing of Indigenous artists across the country.
Some of the loudest voices criticising the collective’s practices are Indigenous artist groups and art centres from the Kimberley through to the Western Desert who say the transmission of cultural knowledge going back 60,000 years is at stake.
The collective’s board has defied calls for its art administrator, Skye O’Meara, to stand down while the panel carries out its investigations.
The board said the inquiry’s ambit fell “far short of what is required to shine a spotlight on deeply entrenched issues that continue to confront Indigenous artists” and had been canvassed, agreed and published without any consultation with the artists or communities concerned.
“As it stands, the practice, legitimacy, and authenticity of over 500 artists, their works, and stories has been under unjustified, sustained attack,” it said.
“The attack extends to both the Anangu leadership of the collective and some of Australia’s and the world’s leading institutions where dozens of these works hang. Our artists are confident any review will demonstrate the ill-informed nature of the allegations supporting the attack and their falsity.”
The collective expressed concerns about the failure of other organisations to “address deep-seated and persistent problems with painting sheds, funding issues, the performance of the indigenous art code, and other peak bodies”, adding: “We will not stop doing so”.
Scales said the collective represented 500 artists from early career to established artists, and seven art centres, and that decisions about the future of O’Meara were “our call, not their call”. “[South Australian arts] Minister Michaels says it’s easier if Skye stands down but fairer to who? Fairer to the elders? Fairer to the artists? How is that easier for us as a small team?”
The board said its support for O’Meara was unchanged.
“It is the collective’s minimum expectation that the review will be thorough, but not unduly delayed, and will be conducted in a manner that allows for due process, natural justice, and the proper testing of allegations.”
South Australian arts minister, Andrea Michaels said she was responding to specific allegations raised in relation to an organisation funded by the South Australian government, and the scope of the review was therefore appropriate.
“As I have said previously, there’s been no evidence brought to me to suggest the issues alleged are widespread.The review is now underway and I do not want to risk prejudicing it by making any further comments at this time.”