ACCC secures undertakings from art dealer who created misleading Certificate for Indigenous artwork

ACCC secures undertakings from art dealer who created a misleading Certificate of Authenticity for an Indigenous artwork sold online.

A Northern Territory art dealer created a Certificate of Authenticity for an artwork she sold on eBay stating the name of the artwork was ‘Women’s Hairstring Ceremony’ and that it was painted in 2006. She has  admitted that she came up with the title herself based on internet searches and had no knowledge of when it was painted. The ACCC has obtained a court enforceable undertaking from the dealer that she will ensure the accuracy of information provided in Certificates of Authenticity in the future.

Certificates of Authenticity are central to substantiating the provenance and value of an Indigenous artwork and any question of their legitimacy can impact the price of the artwork and the artist’s reputation.

Arts Law Centre provides specialised legal and business advice for artists, and operates the Artists in the Black (AITB) program, a legal service exclusively for Indigenous artists, communities and arts organisations.

Further information about AITB: https://www.aitb.com.au/index.php/about/

The ACCC’s media release: http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1093275