Victorian government makes big bid to bring home Indigenous art

The Victorian government has made a huge bid to retrieve a collection of “very significant” works by Indigenous artist William Barak being auctioned in New York.

Premier Daniel Andrews says the Victorian government is ‘delighted’ to be able to secure the important artworks. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

The Victorian government has stepped in to bid $500,000 to help bring home a collection of culturally and historically significant artworks by Wurundjeri artist William Barak.

The Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation was on Thursday morning successful in its bid to secure the rare works, which were being auctioned by Sotheby’s in New York.

Along with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation’s own contribution, more than 1000 donors contributed to a crowdfunding campaign to help the successful repatriation of the significant Indigenous artworks.

While Barak’s artworks are held in prestigious public and private collections around the world, this is one of a rare few to return to Wurundjeri ownership.

The two artworks – a painting and a parrying shield – date back to 1897.

Both the painting and the shield were gifted from Barak in the late 19th century to the de Pury Family, where they have remained until now.

Premier Daniel Andrews said it was a “fantastic” result.

William Barak has had a profound influence on Victoria’s history.

Wurundjeri Elder Ron Jones says ‘we’re bringing William Barak’s spirit home’. Picture: Stephen McKenzie

“We are absolutely delighted, thrilled to be able to have made that contribution and to have been able to secure overnight those really important artworks,” he said.

“They’re now owned by the Victorian community and that’s a fantastic outcome. We didn’t want them going into a private collection on the other side of the world.

“This is a really important part of our history, it’s a really important part of healing and our journey forward.

“They’re very significant and we’re delighted to have been able to secure them for every single Victorian, forever.”

It’s not yet known where the artworks will be displayed, but Mr Andrews said he anticipated there would be significant demand.

“Where they go, whether it’s NGV or the Museum, that’ll all be worked out,” he said.

“There’ll be lots of different groups that want a piece of that.”

William Barak has had a profound influence on Victoria’s history, with his artwork providing an invaluable insight into the rich culture and way of life of the Wurundjeri people before European settlement.

Wurundjeri Elder Ron Jones said: “We’ve made a step forward in closing the gap between Victorian Aboriginal people and the state government today. We’re bringing William Barak’s spirit home.”

Aboriginal Affairs Gabrielle Williams said the artwork rightfully belongs on Wurundjeri land.

“We congratulate the Wurundjeri on their success in fighting for and securing this important piece of history, which is invaluable to the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung People, and to the broader Victorian public,” she said.

The artworks are expected to arrive home within weeks.