Perth Airport becomes Supporter Member of Indigenous Art Code

10 August, 2022

Perth Airport is calling for fair and ethical trade with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and transparency in promoting and selling artwork by becoming a Supporter Member of the Indigenous Art Code Limited (IartC).

In 2007, a Senate Inquiry into Australia's Indigenous visual arts industry recommended the establishment of a voluntary industry code of conduct to guide ethical commerce in the sector - this led to the development of the Indigenous Art Code (the Code).

Perth Airport's Chief Commercial Officer Kate Holsgrove said that as a Supporter of the Code, we are committed to promoting fair trade in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork, particularly art products targeting the tourist market.

"We want transparency and integrity in the market. And the Code can guide retailers to achieve this."

"We agree with the Indigenous Art Code's concerns regarding selling artworks and artefacts that appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait culture and designs, fake art ".

"These goods are usually targeted at the tourism market. Most visitors to Perth and Western Australia travel through this airport. We believe we can make a difference.

"We will promote the Code to passengers wanting to purchase art while in Western Australia, and we will engaging with our retail partners to encourage alignment to the Code in order to provide our customers the confidence on the products available for sale in the airport.

"Perth Airport is committed to reconciliation and recognising the strong cultural connection that the Whadjuk people and other members of the Noongar Nation have to the airport estate - and our association with the Code is just another initiative on our reconciliation journey," said Ms Holsgrove.

Indigenous Art Code welcomes Perth Airport as a Supporter Member' said Gabrielle Sullivan, CEO of the Indigenous Art Code.

"In doing so, they demonstrate their support of our work of ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists get a fair go and preserving fair, transparent and ethical trade between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual artists and art dealers."

"We hope Perth Airport's commitment to promoting fair and ethical trade with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists influences their retail partners to make considered choices in the artwork and art products they stock and that consumers are aware and ask:

"Who is the artist? Where is the artist from? How did you get the artwork or art product in your shop? How was the artist paid for their work? If it is a reproduction of an artist's work, how are royalties or licensing fees paid to the artists?"

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Corporate Affairs
Perth Airport
E: [email protected]

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