National Gallery of Australia formally postpones exhibition featuring APY artwork

The National Gallery of Australia has announced it is formally postponing a controversial exhibition of artworks from South Australia’s Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands.

After initially delaying the exhibition a month ago, the gallery said it was “formally postponing” the event. 

The gallery said the decision would allow more time for an independent review of allegations the artworks in the Ngura Pulka show from the APY Arts Centre collective were partially painted by non-Aboriginal assistants.

It said it would also allow a joint federal, South Australian and Northern Territory government investigation, the terms of which are yet to be announced, to take place.

The NGA recently said it was delaying the exhibition to give the reviewers more time, but this formal postponement means there is now no indication of when or whether the show will open.

In April, The Australian published footage which it said appeared to show a non-Indigenous assistant making creative decisions and painting on a depiction of the Tjukurpa — the spiritual and sacred law that governs culture.

The footage appeared to be taken at the Tjala Art Centre in South Australia’s Far North, which is part of the APY ACC.

The APY Arts Centre Collective has previously denied the allegations, first published in The Australian newspaper, and said the assistants only helped with preparing canvases.

Today, the collective issued a statement supporting the gallery’s decision to postpone the exhibition.

“Light is always the best defence to darkness, ” the statement reads.

“Given recent accusations that we believe are without merit, we welcome the most rigorous and robust reviews of the work.

“Knowing the truth and authenticity of the works and having an abundance of pride in this project and every facet of our important program and the business we’ve built, we are content to wait for the independent panel to make their findings.”