In October 2011 the ACAA executive appointed the association President, Adrian Newstead, former head of Lawson~Menzies Aboriginal Art Department, to Chair an expert panel of consultants and approved valuers to address the issue. Following the preparation of an initial draft, an expert panel comprising Brenda Collahan, Jane Raffan, Sophie Ullin and Susan McCulloch was convened. The committee included government approved valuers and industry experts with an intimate background working with Aboriginal art and artists. Members consulted widely amongst dealers, academics, and the families of several key artists. They took particular account of Aboriginal cultural conventions, and considered the most appropriate way in which to accommodate these in the art market.
At its recent AGM, held during the Melbourne Art Fair, the ACAA membership approved the final document, which it believes should become the standard for use by all auction houses, dealers and valuers. The document is consistent with that currently used for non-Indigenous Australian and International artists.
The preferred exemplar used in the final document is Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri. (That used most commonly amongst general Australian art circles is Russell Drysdale). While other artists were considered, the committee agreed that Clifford Possum’s oeuvre contains more works that are likely to be in the categories specified than any other Aboriginal artist, and for this reason the use of his name assists in clarifying the meaning and intent of the classification system.
The first auction platform to announce that it would adopt the ACAA cataloguing practice was the on-line art auction site ArtFido. According to its founder Juan Garcia:
“A reliable cataloguing practice for Aboriginal artworks will assist in safeguarding the attribution and provenance of artworks. It will compliment the art watchdogs on our ArtFido site and strengthen our efforts to provide certainty to collectors”.
The ACAA Recommended Cataloguing Practice and Terms is now available for distribution and use. Information on recommended experts in the careers and output of any particular indigenous Australian artist can be provided by the ACAA upon request. <www.acaa.org.au>
The Recommended Cataloguing Practice and Terms for Australian Indigenous paintings sculpture and works on paper is as follows:
Artists Names
(The name Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri is used as an exemplar. This classification system is equally relevant for works relating to Emily Kame Kgnwarreye, Rover Joolama Thomas, and all other Australian Indigenous artists)
The artist's full name including skin group should be used. This may be catalogued as either Clifford Tjapaltjarri Possum, or Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri enabling artists to be indexed according to their common name or skin name depending on preference.
Terms used have the meanings ascribed to them below. Please note that all statements as to authorship are subject to provisions of the Conditions of Sale at all times. While every attempt should be made to verify beyond all reasonable doubt the authenticity or authorship of every artwork, neither the Art Consulting Association of Australia [ACAA], its individual members, nor the vendor should assume any liability or responsibility for the bone fides any item presented.
Attribution:
1. Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri
In our qualified opinion a work produced entirely in the artist's own hand, or with minor culturally appropriate assistance, under the authority (authorship) of the artist.
2. Attributed to Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri
In our qualified opinion a work which, though lacking in definitive 'safe' provenance, is believed to be in whole or substantial part the work of the artist.
3. Clifford Possum with Family Assistance
In our qualified opinion a work, which the artist worked on, with the family completing the majority if not all of the decorative infill.
4. Studio work by Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri
In our qualified opinion a work rendered under the supervision and authority of the artist, during which the artist played a leading role in its composition and realization.
5. Family/Clan of Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri
In our qualified opinion a work of the period of the artist, rendered by culturally appropriate family or clan members, that is closely related to his style, but not painted by the artist. This may or may not bear a signature believed to be that of the artist and/or be accompanied by photos or videos of the artist with the finished work.
6. 'Signed'
The work has a signature either on the front or verso, which in our qualified opinion is the signature of the artist.
7. 'Bears signature'
The work has a signature, which in our qualified opinion might possibly be the signature of the artist although there is an element of doubt.
8. 'Dated'
The work is so dated and in our qualified opinion was executed about the date.
9. 'Bears date'
The work is so dated and in our qualified opinion may possibly have been executed about that date although there is an element of doubt.
