Abstract

Australian Indigenous culture, including artistic practice, has been around for 60,000 years and remains the world’s oldest continuing culture. Since the mid twentieth century Australian Indigenous art has been traded within global art markets, and has been seen as providing a significant economic opportunity for Indigenous Australians. Despite the value of the Indigenous art market there are structural issues which mean that benefits associated with the growth of the market primarily benefit non-Indigenous stakeholders. Another issue, which this article addresses, is the discourse of authenticity circulating within the art market and why it matters for Indigenous artists.