The online 2022 AIATSIS Indigenous Art Market (IAM) opens at 11.00am (AEDT) tomorrow Friday 25 November and runs until late Sunday 27 November.
The market provides a platform for the ethical sale of First Nations art, ensuring that 100 per cent of the proceeds of sales returns to the source – artists, art centres, communities.
Since its establishment in 2014, the AIATSIS IAM has grown to become the largest Indigenous art market operating in the Canberra region – showcasing a diverse range of paintings, textiles, sculptures, and much more.
An online event since 2020, the AIATSIS IAM has become a drawcard for art buyers – both from across Australia and abroad. Interest from art centres and individual artists is also strong with 39 registered for this year’s event.
Once again, AIATSIS is working with the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation, which has the depth of experience with online art markets to ensure the best online presentation on behalf of the artists and the best online experience for customers.
The AIATSIS CEO, Craig Ritchie, noted how the AIATSIS IAM complements the central task for AIATSIS in developing, preserving, and providing access to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.
'In offering this art market, we open a window to demonstrate the currency and vigour of First Nations arts and cultures,' Mr Ritchie said.
'We are the only national institution focused exclusively on the diverse history and cultures of First Nations peoples. We demonstrate that Indigenous cultural heritage is alive, with a continuing history and continuing impact.
'Last year’s art market exceeded previous year’s results, seeing 1250 individual items sold, totalling around $575,000. In addition, there was the halo effect – sales through the AIATSIS IAM website generated additional traffic to individual art centres with an estimated 5 to 10 per cent in further direct sales.'