Selling Yarns

Australian Indigenous textiles and good business in the 21st century

 

Papers

It's all art, but still we have a fibre problem: Economic reality, contested value, and Indigenous Art

Session: Australian context 10:20 - 11:00 am, Sunday, 13 August 2006

Jon Altman

Director, Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, The Australian National University

Abstract

Full paper published on the Craft Australia Research Centre

Rejecting the global art market distinction between art and craft, this paper argues that 'its all art', but some forms have greater market demand and associated value. Low value art, especially fibre and textiles often produced by women, has cultural worth. But it is difficult to sell owing to a combination of global competition and market perceptions. In this paper we highlight regional diversity in art forms and in community-based art centre responses to the 'fibre problem'. Case study evidence is provided of success in addressing this problem: adaptation of art forms, cross-subsidisation, innovative purchasing practices, and new marketing linkages. We argue that the community art centre model and public patronage remain essential to ensure the maintenance of robust arts practice at remote Indigenous communities. Maximizing economic and cultural livelihood options in situations where commercial opportunity is heavily circumscribed will also require a state recognition that income support will need to be structured to provide appropriate incentives to producers irrespective of value.

See also: Jon Altman's biography