<![CDATA[DANIEL GOLDSHAFT ABORIGINAL AND FINE ART VALUATIONS - Blog]]>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:07:40 +1000Weebly<![CDATA[Indigenous Art Market for 2026]]>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 04:07:39 GMThttps://www.dgvaluations.com.au/fine-art-aboriginal-art-blog/indigenous-art-market-for-2026​The 2026 Aboriginal Art Market: Value, Ethics, and the Importance of Valuation
The Australian Aboriginal art market is currently experiencing a significant period of growth and transformation. In early 2026, we are seeing a "50% potential overall increase in annual sales at auction" compared to previous years. This surge is driven by both record-breaking international interest and a robust domestic secondary market for "masterpieces from legendary artists" like Emily Kame Kngwarreye and Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri.
Current Market Trends
High-end demand is particularly strong for early Papunya and Pintupi works from the 1970s, as well as rare pre-1970s bark paintings from Arnhem Land. Modern events like the Revealed 2026 Aboriginal Art Market in Perth continue to provide vital platforms for emerging artists, ensuring the market remains "dynamic and growing".

​The Role of Provenance and Ethics
As values rise, the importance of "ethical purchasing and clear provenance" has never been higher. "Provenance—the documented history of an artwork—is critical" for ensuring both cultural respect and financial security. A piece without a clear history is considered a "high-risk investment".
Why Professional Valuation Matters
With total annual sales now exceeding $250 million, understanding the true worth of your collection is essential. Whether for insurance coverage, Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSF) compliance, or estate planning, an expert appraisal provides:
  • Monetary Insight: Realising the current fair market value in a rapidly changing landscape.
  • Authenticity Verification: Ensuring your artwork is a legitimate piece of "living history".
  • Investment Guidance: Helping savvy collectors make informed decisions for long-term growth.​
Would you like to discuss a valuation for your collection or learn more about SMSF compliance for your artworks?]]><![CDATA[Signing an Indigenous artwork]]>Sun, 05 Jul 2020 11:01:36 GMThttps://www.dgvaluations.com.au/fine-art-aboriginal-art-blog/signing-an-indigenous-artwork

Signing an Indigenous artwork

To sign or not to sign
Emily Kame Kngwarreye at the Tate 2025
​Emily Kame Kngwarraye at Tate Modern: A Ground breaking Moment for Aboriginal Art
In a landmark cultural event, Tate Modern is hosting a major solo exhibition of Emily Kame Kngwarraye, one of Australia’s most celebrated Aboriginal artists. Running from 10 July 2025 to 11 January 2026, the exhibition marks the first time a female First Nations artist from Australia has been given such prominence on a European stage.
Born in Utopia, Central Australia, Emily Kame Kngwarraye began painting late in life—yet her artistic output was nothing short of extraordinary. Between 1988 and 1996, she produced over 3,000 works, each deeply rooted in her Country, culture, and Dreaming. Her abstract compositions, rich with colour and gestural movement, speak to her profound connection to the land and the ancestral stories of the Anmatyerre people.
The Tate exhibition brings together more than 70 works, some of which have never before left Australian shores. Visitors will witness the evolution of Emily’s style—from the intricate dotting techniques of her early works to the bold, flowing lines and colour fields of her later pieces. Central to her practice are recurring motifs like yam roots, seed pods, and ceremonial body paint designs, all tied to the awelye (women’s ceremony) of her homeland.
This exhibition is more than an artistic retrospective—it is a powerful affirmation of Indigenous identity, resilience, and cultural continuity. By placing Emily Kame Kngwarray’s work in an international context, Tate Modern elevates the global understanding of Aboriginal art as both contemporary and timeless.
For collectors, curators, and art lovers alike, this show is essential viewing. It invites audiences to engage with Emily’s legacy not only as an artistic force but as a storyteller and cultural custodian.
Indigenous peoples don’t have a written language or alphabet.
Signing an artwork is a western concept- to prove identity.
Indigenous peoples recognize their identity in the artwork by the art itself – as a language belonging to their skin name but also the story - which may only belong to them.
Hence the oldest living culture has been sustained by ceremony, story, and song and dance without any form of documentation – to a point.
There are carvings and cave paintings but none containing a definitive alphabetical language, more so a type of hieroglyphic language if you will.
The artists will learn to write in English and sign their western name typically. Some artists like Helen McCarthy Tylamuty and Rosella Namok, will sign on the front of their artworks as a point of pride.
Helen is a trained teacher and Rosella has had lots of crossover with Western style artworks, living in Cairns, and going back and forth to the Lockhart river region.
The desert artists have been more isolated for longer and haven’t had an opportunity to learn how to write in English - I’m talking about the older generation.
It is not a necessity but does makes sense for the art buyer to know that the artist has identified themselves and a line of authenticity has been established.
Just a bit of trivia and thought it may be of interest to some of you,
I’d love some feedback on anything I write-please feel free to comment or share your feelings.
]]><![CDATA[Art Investment]]>Sat, 27 Jun 2020 11:12:27 GMThttps://www.dgvaluations.com.au/fine-art-aboriginal-art-blog/art-investment

Art Investment

​I get asked about art as an investment often. I would suggest that there have been many people somewhat duped that were guaranteed they would profit from selling their artwork if they held it for 10 years.

My question is, where are those dealers now? It is irresponsible of an art dealer to sell art by average artists as investments.
Maybe their magical crystal ball was in the workshop that day..
I might make a joke but surely being misled is no joke..

I put it to you like this - to varying degrees, all art is an investment of your hard earned.
True, to a point, but I want to prepare you a little more than being told the artist is dead so buy their work..  an artist must be successful whilst living! 
 
The word investment sometimes gets thrown around a lot a little too casually for my liking. 
Buying for investment is a rewarding and great way to indulge in the way of art.
It's just important to be armed with the facts...that's all.
This is for the newbies.
I have some clients who approach me and ask" if I had $50k to invest, What would you recommend"
My answer is always, keep it simple..buy the best artwork by the "best artist" that matches your budget. You can buy some incredible artworks by award winning,established artists and they are still painting believe it or not!!!

​What I'm in essence saying is that art for investment is a gamble like any other investment.
However, you can buy smart with key factors in mind.
The "best artists" surely fall under the below questions.
  • Has the artist been widely collected? This, by the way is a key point as an artist needs exposure to create a market.
  • Are they in key collections, such as the National Gallery?
  • Is there a strong secondary auction market?
  • Have they had publications written about their work?
  • Have they won any acclaimed awards?

These are some good questions to ask .
If you love the artists work, have you seen many examples and are they all good "quality" or consistant with the artists approach to painting?
If you can tick these boxes , and buying an artwork for an investment for you is an added bonus to your already wise investment arrangement, then I would say go ahead and invest.
Art is bricks and mortar and a great artwork by a great artist will always be just that.

Let me know if you have found anything of interest in this blog or you like to discuss the value of your work,
I am also available to source works with pedigree provenance they may potentially be a good investment for you.
]]><![CDATA[THE ARTS AND ISOLATION]]>Wed, 01 Apr 2020 13:00:00 GMThttps://www.dgvaluations.com.au/fine-art-aboriginal-art-blog/the-arts-and-isolation

THE ARTS AND ISOLATION

It's a difficult time for everyone in the arts industry. Dealers and auction houses are closed and artists are literally isolated in the most remote parts of the desert in Australia. As with us all, I really hope that the arts industry can remain strong and supportive and in doing so, help revive and bring us back to the powerhouse we were becoming. I am speaking of the Aboriginal Art movement of course. Yes, I wish the whole industry well, but my focus is the Indigenous artists.  Their lifeline and support - high street galleries, cannot bring their works to a market fast enough to a market with zero footfall. Some artists may never produce artworks again and this is a detriment to the world as a whole. As we know, the way in which Australian Indigenous culture passes on its heritage and dreamings is through the many different mediums the artists choose to use. Being dot paintings, Raark, weavings and carvings just to name a few.  I would only say that now more than ever, is a time to keep supporting the industry by purchasing the work that you love. Connect with the best galleries that have the best quality works and the provenance required. Galleries like Kate Owen Gallery in Rozelle Sydney, Cooee Gallery in Paddington and Japingka Gallery in Perth.Connect with me to have your artworks valued. If the industry does lose some of its ability to bring artists works to market over the long term, the value of artworks will be a topic that will be discussed in great details amongst the industry and I can see some very big increases in demand with quite possibly not such a capable supply.  We buy art for the love,the feelings it envokes and how it generously warm our walls. We also invest our hard earned money into our purchases. Let me help you as I offer my professional valuation services with direct knowledge and clarity of a sometimes confusing topic. ​
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