The Australian Government has approved a draft law regulating the relations in the Aboriginal art market. The amount of funds each year seeking treatment in the sector, according to the agency Bloomberg, estimated at 500 million Australian dollars (330 million U.S. dollars).

In Australia, a lot of dealers who use the vulnerability of the local Aboriginal people. Most of the indigenous population live in remote areas of the country, they are sick, smoke and drink more than other Australians. Therefore, they are often willing to give their works in exchange for drugs and alcohol. There are, for example, such cases are: a painter sold his work for a box of beer, the other in exchange for their work has received overnight in a simple shack - he had been unable to reach home in the 600 kilometers from the city. Now the «acquisition» of this kind would be considered illegal. Under the new rules, the buyer has no right to use state of the artist, who is ill, is in a state of alcohol or drugs or are not aware of conditions of the transaction.

«This area is not regulated, some people acquire paintings cheaply and easily inflate of us - recognized Aboriginal artist Rene Kulitzhu (Rene Kulitju). For example, one of his works, for which he received 2 050 Australian dollars, were then sold for 15 thousand. The artist expressed the hope that «the new law will help us get to work the full price and stop the exploitation».

According to Sabine Haider (Sabine Heider), owner of one of the shops where you can buy works of Aboriginal people, in order to change the situation will take time, but the adoption of this law can be considered as a first step in the right direction.

In addition to reducing the exploitation, the Australian Government also expects that with the new law will be able to spur growth in the market of works of Aboriginal, which has recently slowed down.

material produced Catherine Onuchin

Sources: bloomberg.com , artinfo.com , artinvestment.ru