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Australian and International Conventions

Acquiring and Borrowing Cultural Material

A large spherical sculpture hanging from large wires in the sky is visible through a gap in tree branches

The National Gallery adheres to the principles of the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. The obligations and principles under this treaty are reflected in the international and Australian codes of museum ethics that the National Gallery subscribes to.

The National Gallery is also subject to Australian legislation including the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986. In 2014 the Ministry for the Arts released the Australian Best Practice Guide to Collecting Cultural Material. The guide outlines the legal obligations and ethical standards to which Australia’s public collecting institutions should adhere when acquiring and borrowing cultural material. The National Gallery is committed to ensuring the guidelines are followed.

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Provenance and Due Diligence

A man is showing a woman images on a piece of paper in an art conservation laboratory

The National Gallery of Australia is committed to only acquiring and exhibiting works of art in line with the highest standards of due diligence.

Art Enquiries & Claims Handling Procedure

In a high-ceilinged gallery space a woman walks near a wall pasted completely with coloured squares of writing

The Gallery invites people to make contact if they have a concern about a work that the Gallery owns, has borrowed, or is about to borrow.

Environmental Policy Statement

Close up photograph of ferns in Fiona Hall's Fern Garden

The Gallery makes a strong commitment to environmental best practice and the prevention of pollution in its operations.

Risk Management Plan

The National Gallery's operations are guided by a Risk Management Framework and Policy.

Exhibition

Political Motives
The Batiks of Mohammed Hadi of Solo

Past Exhibition

12 Dec 1987 - 5 Jun 1988

Provenance

Gallery Policies

A large metal sculpture of an Indigenous Australian fish trap is hanging from the ceiling in a large gallery foyer

Detailed information on policies relating to acquiring and exhibiting works of art at the National Gallery.

Yuuma, Gurruburri

The National Gallery acknowledges the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Kamberri/Canberra region, and recognises their continuous connection to culture, community and Country.

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Opening Acknowledgment of Country

The National Gallery acknowledges the First Peoples of this land and recognises their continuous connection to culture, community and Country

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Aerial view of artist Lola Greeno walking along Rocky Beach
Aerial view of artist Lola Greeno walking along Rocky Beach
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