National Gallery postpones Aboriginal art exhibition as it probes APY centre claims

The NGA has postponed its showcase winter exhibition to give its team of investigators more time to prove allegations of white interference in indigenous art.

NGA Director Nick Mitzevich and APY Arts Centre Collective’s Sally Scales. Picture: Instagram

In an embarrassing blow to the National Gallery of Australia, and its director Nick Mitzevich, the NGA has postponed its showcase winter exhibition of APY Arts Centre Collective paintings, Ngura Pulka – Epic Country.

“This decision is based on the independent review panel requiring more time to fully complete their work, and the decision of the Australian, South Australian and Northern Territory governments to undertake a South Australian-led review, with the support of the federal government,” the gallery said in a statement.

The South Australian-led ­investigation has not yet ­announced its terms of reference, and it will likely take many months to complete, meaning the NGA’s Ngura Pulka exhibition has effectively been delayed ­indefinitely.

The NGA’s review and the South Australian-led government probe were prompted by a long-running investigation by The Australian in which claims were made by studio staff and artists that white staff painted substantial sections of Indigenous paintings, including when the artists were not in the studio.

Other allegedly unethical practices were also unearthed, ­including the bullying of artists and staff, allegations of bribery and allegedly fraudulent documents being sent in funding ­applications.

Mr Mitzevich had cham­pioned the exhibition and the APYACC. Indigenous artist and curator Djon Mundine said the gallery and its director had to be “dragged screaming and kicking into bloody reality” to take the issue seriously.

Mr Mundine said that while major institutions, such as the NGA and the Art Gallery of South Australia, had attempted to downplay the issue of white studio staff painting on Indigenous art, the four peak bodies, representing every Indigenous art centre in SA, NT and WA, had come out strongly in saying it was an unacceptable practice.

“The worst part of all of this is that people have not really been listening to the artists,” Mr Mundine said. He said stories of allegedly unethical practices at the APYACC studios had been “circulating for years” and the institutions “have just been ignoring a very serious issue … they’ve not been taking it seriously and now they’ve been forced into a corner to do something about it”.

The Dingo Project exhibition curator Djon Mundine (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi)

The four peak bodies have also called on the embattled general manager of the APYACC, Skye O’Meara, and its senior management, to stand down while the SA-led investigation is held.

Many industry figures say that if Ms O’Meara continues in the position it will destroy the collective, and that it is also harming the wider Indigenous arts industry.

One of those peak bodies, Arnhem, Northern and Kimberley Artists (ANKA), recently sent a letter to various state and federal politicians, including ministers Tony Burke and Linda Burney, urging the governments to undertake a thorough and wide-ranging investigation into the APYACC.

“We are still worried about our voices being talked over,” said a letter signed by the ANKA board members, and renowned artists Djambawa Marawili and Dora Griffiths. “Not heard and not invited to the table when important decisions are being made about the contemporary Indigenous art industry we built up with our own hands from nothing.”

Arts Minister Mr Burke told The Australian the terms of reference were still being worked on by the SA government. “There are many voices that need to be heard, including that of ANKA,” Mr Burke said. “It is ­essential that the entire process be conducted respectfully and not rushed if we want everyone to have the confidence to participate.”

In a statement, the APYACC board said: “While we were excited that masterpieces of the APY Lands would be on show at the NGA now, we support the NGA review panel’s decision to take more time to ensure the works are afforded the most rigorous examination possible. Light is always the best defence to darkness.

“Given recent accusations that we believe are without merit, we welcome the most rigorous and robust reviews of the work.

“Knowing the truth and ­authenticity of the works and having an abundance of pride in this project and every facet of our ­important program and the business we’ve built, we are content to wait for the independent panel to make their findings.”

It did not make a comment on Ms O’Meara’s continued management of the collective.

The NGA’s exhibition, Ngura Pulka, was supposed to open on June 3, but was delayed until the provenance of the 28 paintings – all painted in the APYACC’s studios – was determined.

Its team of investigators had been tasked with delivering a report to the NGA board by May 31, but have now sought more time.

Skye O'Meara - General Manager at APY Art Centre Collective pictured outside of the Gallery in Adelaide . Picture: Brett Hartwig

The NGA probe is being led by 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 are advising the review.

“The National Gallery will work with the artists and Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) community leaders in relation to the exhibition and will await the outcome of both ­reviews,” the NGA said. “National Gallery is committed to continuing to work with APY Lands artists and supporting their groundbreaking work.”

It leaves a major hole in the NGA’s schedule for the year. A spokesman for the NGA said: “We’ll be making programming announcements in the future.”

The NGA did not commission the 28 paintings and there was no agreement to purchase them at the conclusion of the show.

The fallout from The Australian’s investigation has also seen Sue Cato resign from the NGA’s ethics committee.

Ms Cato, from the crisis communication firm Cato & Clive, had been on the foundation board of the NGA, and its ethics committee, while also advising the APYACC and Ms O’Meara.

“On 28 April 2023, Sue Cato permanently resigned from the ethics advisory group and took indefinite leave from the foundation board,” a statement from the NGA said. “The National Gallery respects Sue Cato’s decision and understands that she is acting in the best interests of the National Gallery.”

Sally Scales, who is on the board of both the NGA and the APYACC, has recused herself from matters involving the NGA’s investigation into her ­organisation.