![]() ![]() This was an extraordinary way to characterise a series of investigative reports that have survived their subjects’ aggressive legal challenge, are based on the statements of five Indigenous artists and six former studio managers, and includes published video footage of a white studio manager painting on the artwork of Aboriginal artist Yaritji Young and asking another white assistant, “Can I juice this one up a little bit?” NGA director Nick Mitzevich has already betrayed his prejudice, saying earlier this month that “the issues raised are unsubstantiated and speculative”. ![]() ![]() One member, Richard Alston, was a CPA Australia director during the Alex Malley era, so has had the benefit of a practice scandal. Today’s NGA Council, led by Seven Group chief executive Ryan Stokes, is faced with a real test of its judgement and merit. NGA director Nick Mitzevich (centre) with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Arts Minister Tony Burke. This is the biggest scandal to hit the Australian art world since the NGA’s last provenance scandal, when its previous director Ron Radford purchased stolen Indian antiquities from disgraced New York dealer Subhash Kapoor. On Wednesday, the National Gallery of Australia finally got around to announcing an independent inquiry into the provenance of Indigenous artworks in its upcoming exhibition Ngura Pulka, thrown into doubt by The Australian’s revelations of white studio managers painting on the canvases of Aboriginal artists in South Australia’s APY Lands. ![]()
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