There are a lot of reasons to buy art, and whether you are picking up simple holiday souvenirs to take home from your trip or investing in an original piece by an artist on the way up, it is important to know what your are doing.

Souvenirs - Don't get too fancy!

It is always good to have souvenirs for all of your friends when you get home from your big trip but that doesn't mean you should feel obliged to spend a huge amount of money on each of them. Art makes for a great souvenir because it will often be small and inexpensive and can be just as much appreciated by your loved ones as if you had spent far more money on their souvenir gift. Scarves, ties and water bottle coolers can be great souvenirs to bring home a taste of the culture of your trip.

Keep an open mind...

If you are looking for art to give as souvenirs, keep an open mind about where you might find it as there is more to souvenirs than just keyrings, playing cards and T-shirts! Music and musical instruments can make for fantastic souvenirs, as can jewellery, sculpture and photography and they can be found anywhere from the streets to the markets, so keep an open mind as to where that perfect, artsy souvenir may be.

Investment - Research the artist!

If you want to buy a piece of art as an investment, it is crucial you do some research into the artist whose work you are interested in buying. For the art to be any chance of going up in value, the artist will have to be committed to their art and to doing what they need for their career to flourish and you will usually be able to get some sense of the artist by researching them online.

Aboriginal art....

When it comes to art investment there is no hotter item to invest in these days than Australian Aboriginal art! With everything from Aboriginal bark paintings, landscapes and fine dot work to music sticks, spears  and photography currently in high demand, if you are hoping for your art investment to be a strong addition to your financial portfolio, you should start your search by checking out some Australian indigenous art.

Fairtrade....

In order to feel good about your art investment, as well as to make it easier to sell later on, make sure you are only buying Fairtrade art. Otherwise, your gain will be coming at the expense of the artist and their community and many investors won't even consider non-Fairtrade purchases.

Maintenance....

If you have spent a considerable sum on your art investment, make sure you are doing everything to keep it in mint condition, as the condition of the piece will directly impact its value. If you have bought a piece of art as an investment, make sure you are providing it with all the necessary protection.

Indigenous art in outback communities has had an incredible impact in recent years, and in many communities art has provided the medium and the focus for greater efforts of building and strengthening the community. After making a stunning debut on the world art scene in the early '90's Aboriginal art continues to be one of the hottest investment items in modern portfolios, as well as one of the most widely respected forms of art. The following is a look at some of the many ways indigenous art is playing a fantastic role in helping outback communities.

Keeps people in the community....

Many outback communities are extremely impoverished places with few opportunities for paid employment meaning a lot of artists end up having to leave their communities in order to find other paid work. By being able to remain in the community and make a living from their art, many artists are no longer forced to leave their homes and families due to economic strains, allowing them to maintain their important social and cultural bonds.

Bring in money....

Art has played a huge role in a number of outback communities by finally bringing in a steady stream of money, helping to ease what has in some cases been years without much more than the most basic of services. Many Aboriginal artists have been able to help provide a boost to the fortunes of their outback communities, in some cases providing far more support than even the various levels of government.

Communication...

Art has played a role in the expression of Aboriginal culture and beliefs for many generations, in particular as a way to pass on important information, stories or messages. Recently, art has been extremely important in helping Aboriginal communities all over Australia to express their cultural beliefs, as well as to tell their side of a history that has seen Aboriginal people in Australia systematically brutalised. As many Aboriginal communities and their language groups continue to die out, art is now also starting to be used to document some of these important languages.

Drawing attention....

When Aboriginal art exploded onto the world art scene in the early '90s, few knew much at all about Aboriginal people or their situation in Australia. However, the huge amount of commotion that the powerful Aboriginal paintings created led to a vast increase in the amount of attention paid to Aboriginal Australia. When artists like Emily Kngwarreye started selling pieces for over a million dollars, fianlly there was a big enough spotlight put onto Aboriginal people that some of the bigger questions regarding their plight simply had to be looked at.

Pass on Traditions...

Indigenous art is also playing a huge role in helping to pass on traditional knowledge between the older and younger generations with the passing down of traditional art skills such as carving, weaving or painting, often seen as an opportunity for passing on important knowledge and wisdom. A lot of symbols and designs you see in modern Aboriginal paintings have specific meanings that have been passed down over many generations, and so being able to continue on with these traditions is extremely important for the health of Aboriginal culture.

Is it Authentic?

Unfortunately Australia is awash with cheap imitations of Aboriginal art which sometimes make it hard to know whether the items you are looking at are authentic or not. If they are, there will normally be quite a lot of information about where they are from and who the artist is, so if there isn't any proof that the item is the real deal, you can be pretty sure that it isn't.

Is it Fairtrade?

Once you know that it is real Aboriginal art and not an imitation, you should next make sure that it is Fair Trade, as a lot of talented Aboriginal artists are underpaid for their incredible artworks. For something to be considered Fair Trade it has to meet a strict level of social and environmental standards and sometimes this will be indicated by the appearance of a Fair Trade sticker or logo. Not all Fair Trade items have this marking so while it is rare for someone to claim a product is Fair Trade if it isn't, the best way to be 100% sure is to get online and do some of your own research on the business and the product.

What does it Mean?

Aboriginal paintings more often than not tell an important story, sometimes one that has been handed down over generations, so if you are going to invest in some Aboriginal art it is a good idea to know what the artwork means. It is usually easy to get someone to explain the symbols and meaning of a piece, though again if you are unsure, do some of your own research before you buy anything. Knowing the meaning of any art piece always makes it that much more powerful and will often help you pick which piece you want to purchase.

Is it Appropriate?

The only time you need to worry about whether or not a piece of Aboriginal art is appropriate is if you are buying items that are more than just a painting, like instruments or tools or weapons. For instance, some items are quite gender specific so it is good to know whether the item you are thinking of buying is an appropriate one for you or the person you may be buying for.

How to Preserve It?

If you are buying original art, you are going to want to be sure that you know exactly what you need to do to safeguard it against deteriorating over time. You may be spending quite a lot of money on a particular item so be sure to ask around about what you will need to do to take care of it properly.

Ideas like Fair Trade have helped spark more consumer consciousness though have only been able to do so much without a larger framework for art dealings. As a response to calls for more equitable dealings between artists, agents and dealers, the Indigenous Code of Conduct has been developed to try and establish a more level playing field as far as the trade in Aboriginal art goes. The following describes what the Indigenous Code Of Conduct means for artists, dealers and consumers.
 
It’s Voluntary
 
The Indigenous Code of Conduct is a voluntary initiative and a way for people and businesses that deal with or in Aboriginal art to show their commitment to fair and equitable relationships with the artists. People who deal in Aboriginal art who sign up to the Code of Conduct become known as Dealer Members, and will be agreeing to a standard of ethical behaviour that will help ensure that people are able to buy art in good conscience. Artists themselves or even businesses that don’t deal in Aboriginal art can also become signatories as a way to show their support for the Code.
 
It’s Governed By Indigenous Art Code

The Indigenous Art Code  provides the legal framework for the implementation of the Code, so once a dealer signs up and agrees to adhere to the ethical standards and rules of the Code they are subject to assessment by IartC. The only real action that can be taken against a dealer that doesn’t comply with the standards of the Code is to revoke their membership, though this alone will prevent them from claiming a level of business ethics that they aren’t living up to.
 
It Encourages Transparency
 
For years people have gotten away with selling art that they hadn’t paid a fair price for and made millions in the process, though the Indigenous Code of Conduct aims to change all of that. As a way to increase ethical standards as well as transparency, the Code of Conduct is a great tool in combating dodgy art dealings, as those who sign up have to prove they are acting ethically and those that don’t are virtually admitting that they aren’t.
 
It Empowers Consumers
 
Most people would like to think that when they are buying Aboriginal paintings that they are not only getting something great but are also helping support the artist and their community. The Indigenous Code of Conduct allows the consumer to know if a dealer is acting ethically and dealing fairly with the artists, and therefore gives people the power to support those dealers who do the right thing as opposed to those that exploit the artists. Knowledge is power so at least now the consumer can make an educated decision.
 

So it’s hard to believe,  but great to see,  that there is a growing sense of optimism slowly returning to the Aboriginal Art market! This is not just to benefit the Art Gallery owners themselves but the Aboriginal artists especially. They have been hit by the downturn in sales and most don’t understand why people aren’t buying their art anymore. More on that later…..