National Gallery of Australia postpones APY art exhibition in wake of scandal
The National Gallery of Australia showcase winter exhibition has been delayed pending an investigation into the provenance of paintings from the APY Arts Centre Collective’s studios.
The National Gallery of Australia’s showcase winter exhibition, Ngura Pulka, has been delayed pending the outcome of an investigation into the provenance of paintings produced in the APY Arts Centre Collective’s studios.
Media had been invited to attend a preview of the show but in an email sent by the NGA on Tuesday afternoon, it was announced that the show had been delayed.
“As you are aware, on 10 April the National Gallery of Australia announced an independent review into the provenance of the 28 paintings that form the Ngura Pulka – Epic Country exhibition,” the NGA email said.
“The independent review is under way, and we expect the report by the end of May.
“As part of that process, the decision was taken to postpone the exhibition, including the opening events, until the findings of the review have been considered.”
The review was sparked by a months-long investigation by The Australian in which both artists and studio assistants made serious claims that white studio assistants had painted substantial sections of Indigenous canvases, including when the artists had not been in the studio.
On its website, the NGA says that “Ngura Pulka – Epic Country is one of the largest and most significant First Nations community-driven art projects to have ever been developed. All parts of Ngura Pulka are being entirely conceived, created, directed, and determined by Anangu people.”
A team of investigators, appointed by the NGA, is currently in South Australia trying to ascertain whether this claim is true.
The NGA probe is being led by Melbourne silk Colin Golvan KC and assisted by lawyer Shane Simpson. Artist Yhonnie Scarce and Head of Indigenous Leadership at the University of Canberra Maree Meredith are the Indigenous experts who will advise the review.
Their task has been complicated by allegations that pressure has been placed on Indigenous artists to recant their stories of white interference in their art.
Last week, the Indigenous artist Paul Andy, backed up by two witnesses, made allegations that two artists who work in the APYACC’s studios had offered him $12,000 to change his story.
One of the artists who is alleged to have made the offer has paintings that are due to hang in Ngura Pulka.
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