How To Determine An Authentic piece of Aboriginal Art
2019 Dec 09th
How To Determine An Authentic piece of Aboriginal Art
Aboriginal art holds great importance and meaning, and when you decide to purchase a piece, it is equally as important to make sure it is authentic. An authentic piece of Aboriginal art means that the artist created the artwork or gave license for the design on the product to be reproduced. Below are 3 key elements to help you identify authentic Aboriginal art:
1 - The Artwork Has a Story
Aboriginal art tells stories of culture, life experiences, and mythological stories, and is usually a direct expression of the artist’s journey or the journey of their tribe. Symbols and drawings create meanings that can be interpreted differently. While some pieces are simple in context, most artists do choose to express themselves through symbols and dot formations once permission has been given to them by their elders. Storytelling is very significant in Aboriginal culture, so if the artwork you are considering does not come with some type of story or title do some more research before you purchase. In addition, it is not just the physical artwork that has a story; the artist does, too. For credibility always look for artwork that clearly explains who the artist is and where they are from. In other words, research the artists’ profile
2 - Authority to Use the Style
Aboriginal art is special, and most artists must be given permission to paint specific stories. A reputable gallery will be able to provide good artist profiles and have a healthy verbal knowledge of the artist and their stories and styles
3 - Cultural Relevance
It is important to know where the art comes from, as this should help tell you whether the piece is real or not. As the styles generally differ from tribe to tribe, if the artwork claims to have been painted by someone in a Central Australian tribe but has the style of an Arnhem Land painting, this would warrant you to ask further questions as to the authenticity.
Mbantua has a large range of authentic pieces for you to buy. Contact us today to learn more.