July 29, 2009
Discussions on the return of Australian Aboriginal art
This article has a few additional details about the discussions over the potential return of some Aboriginal artefacts in UK Museums.
From:
Thinking Australia
UK Move On Aboriginal Art
Negotiations between Australia and UK could soon re-start in a battle over the return of valuable Aboriginal artworks, writes Nick Gibson.
The Dja Dja Wurrung tribe are seeking the return of a pair of Aboriginal bark paintings – insured for more than $1m – that originate from Lake Boort, north-west of Melbourne.
The items were collected by a white farmer and given to the British Museum. In 2004, when the bark paintings were loaned to Museum Victoria for an exhibiton, members of the Dja Dja Wurrung tribe seized the artifacts and demanded their legal return.A long-running legal battle has since ensued but talks have previously ended in stalemate.
The UK’s Natural History Museum has seven sets of remains belonging to Dja Dja Wurrung and Gunditjmara people while the remains of a member of Victorian tribe the Wathurong are currently in Oxford.
The Museum says it is now working on a way to decide if it will return the articles.
Recent meetings between museum chiefs and representatives of the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation have been ‘productive’ and a breakthrough in the dispute could soon in in the offing.
- Aboriginal artefacts not covered by the Human Tissue Act up for discussion : July 22, 2009
- Aboriginal bark etchings return to British Museum : July 13, 2005
- Scotland gives up Aboriginal Skull : January 21, 2008
- Aborigines discuss return of human remains : May 6, 2007
- Aboriginal activist gives lecture on return of Parthenon Marbles : March 6, 2015
- Postponement of Aboriginal remains legal battle : February 25, 2007
- Aboriginal protests over plundered artefacts in British Museum : April 20, 2015
- Australia to return artefacts to British Museum : May 26, 2005