Fake art and low payment for indigenous artwork plagues Gold Coast’s Aboriginal community

THE AUTHENTICITY of indigenous art produced on the Gold Coast is under the microscope, with artists revealing the stunning questions they’re subjected to when trying to make a sale.

Artists Jason Passfield and Darryl Ferguson at the FSG store in Southport. Picture: Jerad Williams

TOURISTS are so confused about Aboriginal artwork that indigenous artists are having to convince them their work is real.

Lightning Ridge artist Darryl Ferguson is on the Gold Coast to showcase his traditionally made boomerangs and shields — but tourists are questioning why his boomerangs are not painted.

PRE-GAMES CRACKDOWN ON FAKE INDIGENOUS ART

Artist Darryl Ferguson. Picture: Jerad Williams

Mr Ferguson said his handmade boomerangs were not decorated because the traditional hunting weapons were generally not supposed to be.

He said he sometimes carved into his work as his people did, but items painted needed to tell stories.

“I don’t paint any of my boomerangs and stick to traditional timbers,” he said.

“People come up and question me, is that real?

“My people carve ... to tell our Dreamtime stories. We’ve all got a story to tell, it’s not about looking pretty.”

Mr Ferguson said fake art and low wages were a big problem in the industry and was skewing people’s perception about what was authentic Aboriginal art.

Yesterday, the Gold Coast Bulletin revealed that some Aboriginal artists had been paid as little as 50c per boomerang that were being sold at the Commonwealth Games.

Mr Ferguson said a number of indigenous artists had banded together to create a portfolio of work tourists and locals could view and purchase during the Commonwealth Games to campaign against fake art.

Artist Jason Passfield, originally a Gamilaroi/Gomeroi man, said people shouldn’t be scared to buy indigenous art.

Jason Passfield at the FSG store in Southport. Picture: Jerad Williams

“People should be aware and more educated as to what is authentic and what’s not authentic,” he said.

“People shouldn’t stop buying, buy from actual artists, not manufacturers and souvenir shops. Start getting involved with these type of things.”

But even he wasn’t immune to the issues plaguing indigenous artists, saying he had been paid $3 per boomerang by a wholesaler on one occasion. He does not work for them anymore.

“The only reason I was paid $3 was because I’ve got a name as well,” he said.

“(Fake art) is one of the biggest issues in Aboriginal society and throughout Aboriginal Australia. It doesn’t only affect myself and other artists ... but the communities that do art.

“They aren’t getting that slice of what they should be paid.”

Both men are part of the campaign to expose fake art through the first Australian Artist Association.

A wide range of art is on display at the FSG shop in Southport, which donated them space to display their work.

The store will be open at 20 Railway Street until April 15.