National Gallery releases independent review into Ngura Pulka – Epic Country

The National Gallery today released the findings of the independent review into the provenance of the 28 paintings that formed the Ngura Pulka – Epic Country exhibition.

Under the Terms of Reference, the Independent Reviewers (with the assistance of two First Nations experts) assessed whether the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) artists attributed as the creators of the paintings exercised effective creative control over the creation of the paintings, and so can properly be described as the artists responsible for those works.

The Independent Panel has determined, based on the extensive evidence assessed, that the artists exercised effective creative control and that the 28 paintings comply with the National Gallery’s provenance policy.

Consistent with National Gallery conflict of interest protocols, Council Member Ms Sally Scales declared a conflict of interest both as a Director of the APY Art Centre Collective and as an artist represented in the exhibition. She recused herself from Council deliberations regarding the review and the exhibition.

The National Gallery will work closely with the artists and make programming decisions in due course.

The National Gallery will continue to monitor the South Australian Government’s review into the APY Art Centre Collective.

The independent panel findings can be accessed in full here.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Kirsty Noffke
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SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Ngura Pulka Independent Report
Terms of reference and Ngura Pulka Works of Art

NOTES FOR THE EDITOR

Independent Review Panel

Two Reviewers

Colin Golvan AM KC
Colin Golvan AM KC practises as a Kings Counsel at the Victorian Bar, predominantly in intellectual property law and trade practices. He has over 30 years’ experience in copyright, trademarks, designs, patents, and misleading conduct cases in the Federal and High Court of Australia. He was recently recognised as this year's Lawyer of the Year in Intellectual Property in Melbourne by the Best Lawyers Guide for Australia. He has represented many Indigenous artists in cases protecting their copyright - and most recently represented the Namatjira family in the recovery of the copyright of Albert Namatjira, and Harold Thomas in the assignment of copyright in the Aboriginal Flag to the Commonwealth. In addition to serving as chairperson of the board of trustees of the Victorian Bar Indigenous Barristers’ Fund and the Indigenous Lawyers Committee of the Victorian Bar, he has also been a Chair and member of many arts boards, including membership of the Board of Museums Victoria and the Foundation of Arts Centre Melbourne. In 2018, he was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Shane Simpson AM
Shane Simpson has over 30 years’ experience in the arts and law, specialising in intellectual and cultural property. He is Special Counsel at Simpsons Solicitors, a firm specialising in the arts, entertainment, cultural property, and copyright. He is the founder of the Arts Law Centre of Australia. He is on the Council of the National Library of Australia and is Chair of the NAISDA Foundation. Shane has been on the Council of the Australian National Maritime Museum and Chair of the Bundanon Trust, the Aboriginal Benefits Foundation, and Museums and Galleries NSW. He has also been a non-executive director on numerous other boards in the cultural sector. In 2015 he conducted the government Review of the Protection of Movable Cultural Property Act (“Borders of Culture). In 2011, Shane was appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Two First Nations experts who advised the Reviewers

Yhonnie Scarce
Yhonnie Scarce is an Australian artist descendant of the Kokatha and Nukunu people of South Australia. Primarily working with glass and photography, Scarce explores the lingering effects of colonisation on First Nations people. She is represented in various galleries across Australia and has been curated into numerous biennale’s worldwide. Scarce lives and works in Naarm/Melbourne.

Professor Maree Meredith
Professor Maree Meredith is a descendent of the Bidjara People of Queensland. Professor Meredith is the Pro Vice-Chancellor of Indigenous Leadership at the University of Canberra. She has extensive experience in Aboriginal and Indigenous affairs with an academic focus in health, the arts, policy, and program development. Professor Meredith lives and works in Kamberri/Canberra.