Extract from Hansard [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 27 June 2006] p4372b-4374a Ms Katie Hodson-Thomas; Ms Sheila McHale ART GALLERY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA - ABORIGINAL PAINTINGS 1209. Ms K. Hodson-Thomas to the Minister for Culture and the Arts I refer the Minister to the Special Exhibition of the Art Gallery of Western Australia, titled “Western Desert Satellites” and ask - (1) How many Aboriginal paintings has the Gallery purchased since the Labor Government came to office? (2) Who donated them? (3) During that period how many Aboriginal paintings have been loaned to the Gallery? (4) Who loaned them? (5) In each category how many were painted by Western Australian artists? (6) In each category how many paintings had certificates of authenticity provided by the artists community? (7) Is the Minister aware that Sotheby’s and the Art Galleries of Victoria and New South Wales will not handle Aboriginal paintings unless accompanied by a community certificate of authenticity? (8) Did the Gallery sight invoices, receipts or tax receipts for all paintings? (9) If not, how many were sighted? (10) Why were the two paintings by George Tjungarrayi and George Ward Tjungarraya taken out of the Exhibition? (11) Was the Gallery aware they were not Papunya Tula Artists Pty Ltd when they were first displayed and if so why did they display them? (12) Did they have community certificates of authenticity? (13) Did the Gallery sight any form of receipt? (14) What did the Gallery value the paintings at, particularly the two referred to above? (15) Is the Minister aware of the practice known as “Carpet Bagging” and of the investigation into art fraud by the Federal Arts Minister and the Federal Police? (16) What safeguards does the Gallery have in place to protect itself from this type of event? (17) Without drawing any inferences concerning any donor or lender to the Western Australia Art Gallery, what safeguards does the Western Australian Art Gallery have in place to protect the people of Western Australia from art fraud, and to protect Aboriginal artists from exploitation?” Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1) 112 (2) Not applicable. However, 48 additional works were donated to the Art Gallery of Western Australia by the following people: Jo Lagerberg and Steve Swift Larry and Peg Foley Jeff Kerley Sue and Ian Bernadt Linda Givon Brenda Croft Merv and Anna Cox Larry Foley Ben Korman Brigitte Braun (3) 161 (4) Averil Williams Helen and Ben Korman Troy Bennell Sue and Ian Bernadt Jo Lagerberg and Steve Swift Giancarlo Mazella Graeme Herps B N Connigrave [1] Extract from Hansard [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 27 June 2006] p4372b-4374a Ms Katie Hodson-Thomas; Ms Sheila McHale David Larwill Larry and Peg Foley Western Australian Museum Berndt Museum of Anthropology, UWA Mr. and Mrs. Davies National Gallery of Australia National Library of Australia Indigenart - Mossenson Galleries The Holmes á Court Collection Art Gallery of New South Wales National Gallery of Victoria Art Gallery of South Australia Mary Macha Parnngurr Community Laurel Nannup (5) 73 purchased works are by Western Australian artists, 35 donated works are by Western Australian artists, and 161 loaned works were by Western Australian artists. (6) 8 purchased works. No loaned works had certificates of authenticity. (7) I am advised by the Art Gallery of Western Australia that Community certificates of authenticity are not required by the National Gallery of Victoria or the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The National Gallery of Victoria prefers to acquire works painted for and documented by community-based art centres or cooperatives, when such an organisation exists. The Art Gallery of New South Wales does not acquire or accept gifts from sources other than art centres, where one exists, and their authorised agents/galleries. So, it is not so much an issue of having a certificate of authenticity, rather the source must be reputable. Sotheby's did not respond to Gallery's request for a statement or policy on this issue. (8) No (9) None (10) The two paintings were not removed from the exhibition. (11) Yes. The authenticity of the works was confirmed with Papunya Tula Artists Pty. Ltd. prior to their display. (12)-(13)No (14) The Gallery did not value either painting. Commonwealth protocols for donated works of art require that a valuation determined by two independent valuers. Valuers are approved by the Commonwealth for a five year term. Lenders are asked to provide a valuation for insurance purposes for each work of art requested as a loan by the Gallery. (15) Yes (16) It is the practice of the Gallery that all works of art under consideration for display, purchase or gift are thoroughly researched to confirm their authenticity. Donated works of art require two independent valuations that confirm the value and authenticity of each work. (17) For the past sixty-five years the Gallery has remained a member in good standing of International Council of Museums (ICOM). The Gallery as a member of ICOM must abide by their code of conduct. The ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums sets the standards for the professional practice and performance of member museums and their staff. The ICOM Ethics Committee monitors the application of the code, which includes professional standards for provenance and due diligence for loans, acquisitions and display, for the identification of illegally or illicitly acquired objects, and guidelines for the respect and engagement with contemporary communities. The ICOM Code of Ethics is used by the Art Gallery of Western Australia in all acquisition, display and loan decisions and sets the professional standards required from the Board and staff. [2] .