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Investment in Australian Aboriginal Art has been a financially rewarding activity for art investors as well as perceptive amateur collectors. The significantly growing popularity of this authentic art form stretches far across Australia’s borders and attracts more and more admires for both professional and personal reasons. Considered as the last great art movement, works produced originate from a 40,000 year Culture and Tradition. Australian Indigenous Art now counts up for almost half the value of the Australian art market and around 70% of total exports of Australian art. Although the works are deeply rooted in Aboriginal culture and community, the paintings created are varied, rich in colour and design and very attractive to look at. In Australia, Aboriginal art is the most fashionable genre of art and is in greater demand than any other kind represented in the art place. Some important Australian Art Galleries have dedicated and converted over 60 percent of their retail premises to showcasing Aboriginal art. This is a huge national and international success story; even renowned European museums have decided it’s time to invest. Proof hereof is the use of Australian Aboriginal Art in the design features of the new Musee de Quay Branly which opened its doors in Paris 2007. A wise investor will be able to find a sound investment. Worldwide interest is rapidly rising, as the Musee du quai Branley in Paris, instigated by French President Jacques Chirac will attest. Now is the ideal time for the perceptive investor to make a reliable investment with a profitable financial return. It is important to always carefully research before investing in any commodity and art is no different. Useful sources of information include reference books, magazines, the internet, Australian public galleries and catalogues from companies like Sotheby's and Christie's that hold auctions of Australian Aboriginal Art. It’s essential to get acquainted with the artist’s reputation, his community, his productivity and the quality of his work. When investment strategies are chosen smartly and artists are selected carefully, your investment in Aboriginal Art can lead to considerable financial returns. A work by renowned artist Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri titled “Warlukalong” brought in an impressive AU$2,400,000.00 in Sotheby’s auction Melbourne 2007, setting a standard for return on original outlay to the vendor. Most investors prefer a diversified portfolio, particularly those who base their purchases through a self managed Superannuation Fund. If investing in Aboriginal Art, this will be a quite easy task. The art is country based – that is to say, an artist only portrays the images and stories of their particular region. All Aboriginal societies have their own traditions in depicting the universe. Strongly rooted in custom, materials will vary from ochre pigment or gouache which gives a rich colour to contemporary, used in art works from the Kimberley Region and northern Arnhem Land to acrylic paint in the Desert Regions. Serious investors will take their time to become accustomed to the artist’s community and vision. It is exciting to be part of their culture and share their stories of survival and be comforted by the fact that what you are buying is not only an investment, but a piece of history. Although the age of the artist is generally of no importance to the value of an artwork, a collector or an investor have to consider the importance of social hierarchy within the structure of Aboriginal communities. Every tribe-member of an Aboriginal society is viewed and valued in regard to his age, status, achievements and who his tribal elders were. These aspects, including an artist’s track record and popularity must be taken into account by any investor or collector who wants to achieve an extensive and diverse portfolio of Australian Aboriginal artworks. One of the basic considerations when choosing a painting is that you actually like it – you want it on your wall – it pleases you. It is very satisfying to invest in a work of art that you genuinely appreciate, especially after all the time and effort spent to discover the roots and career of a certain Aboriginal artist. Don’t purchase your art quickly – take pleasure in the research and the knowledge of the artist you received from your seller. By doing this, collecting will not only be an investment – it will also be a very personal, exciting and rewarding experience. All famous painters who are respected and successful always have that one painting that astonishes the crowds and commands head-spinning amounts of cash: think of Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” or Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”. This phenomenon is equally true for Aboriginal artists. Armed with extensive knowledge about the artist’s background, an investor should thoroughly research the provenance of a work of art. Written documented provenance is a must. This is normally provided by the seller via a Certificate of Authenticity which guaranteeing that the work is performed by the stated artist. A biography of the artist, the title of the painting and the story behind it, a track record of the artist’s exhibitions and photos showing the artist holding the work in question are all equally valuable within the larger framework of an investment but are no proof of the authenticity of the painting. A buyer must take into consideration the circumstances under which the artwork was performed and the willingness of the artist in order to assess the importance of photographs. In the end, the recognised technique of the artist is the definitive proof of authenticity. When purchasing, one must have confidence in the seller of the artwork with regards to authenticity and value. In this regard, many factors must be considered. When purchasing from a Gallery or Dealer, assess their credentials as to length of time in the industry, membership with recognised associations, and their attitude in selling. You should also ask yourself the questions –are the prices correct within the scope of the standing of the artist, are they being honest with advice as to the particular need of the client and is this organisation presenting quality works. Another option an investor has is to purchase art works online. If you decide to buy Australian Aboriginal Art online, make sure your money can be refunded if the ordered artwork doesn’t fit within your collection or doesn’t live up to your standards. Art Centre provenance in the main is a safe harbour, however purchases directly from community based art centres do not necessarily ensure best investment quality. A successful investor will at all times keep in mind that authenticity is the key factor in order to make a good investment even and maybe even more so when evaluating works by famous Aboriginal artists like Rover Thomas, Emily Kngwarreye, Minnie Pwerle, Jack Britten and Clifford Possum Tjapaltjari. Once you have taken into account all of the above mentioned considerations, you should be ready to start a promising career as an art collector or investor. Tim Klingender, head of Aboriginal Art at Sotheby’s recently stated new investors and collectors should remain patient. Although the majority of art works do not rise in value, Klingender said that if you obtain works of the same quality and provenance that the national and state galleries show, chances are good they will increase in value over time. Australian Aboriginal artists not only create magnificent and creative paintings, they look at art as a way of telling you about their stories, their culture, and their experiences. Online you will find Galleries specialising in Aboriginal Art showcasing their finest collections for you to choose from. Extensive information on Australian Aboriginal paintings and artefacts, one of the most authentic art form in the world, is waiting for you to be discovered. Michiel van Kets provides article services for Scott Linklater, one of four family members who make up the team from Artlandish Aboriginal Art gallery in Kununurra Western Australia. The company has the largest online Aboriginal Art gallery in the world. For information on Aboriginal paintings and visit the website.
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aboriginal paintings, Aboriginal art, Australian aboriginal art,
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