Archibald Prize sitter wants justice over APY artist mistreatment
Iluwanti Ken, a prominent artist and co-founder of the APY Art Centre Collective, has raised concerns about the treatment of Indigenous artists following allegations of non-Indigenous interference in their work. Despite being celebrated for her contributions to the art world, Ken highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the collective, including exclusion from funding and opportunities. She has called for a federal inquiry into the Indigenous arts sector to address these issues and ensure fair treatment for Indigenous artists.
- ▪Iluwanti Ken has called out mistreatment of the APY Art Centre Collective amid allegations of 'white hands on black art'.
- ▪The collective faced investigations but was cleared of wrongdoing, yet remains excluded from industry funding.
- ▪Ken has requested a meeting with visual art leaders to discuss the challenges facing Indigenous artists.
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Iluwanti Ken highlights mistreatment of APY Art Centre Collective after 'white hands on black art'HBy Hannah StoryABC ArtsTopic:Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ArtTue 26 May 2026 at 5:32pmTue 26 May 2026 at 5:32pmTue 26 May 2026 at 5:32pmIluwanti Ken, known for her large-scale, monochromatic ink-on-paper drawings depicting Tjilpul (eagles), at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in 2022. (AAP: Bianca De Marchi)abc.net.au/news/iluwanti-ken-apy-art-centre-collective-white-hands-black-art/106723720Link copiedShareShare articleAward-winning artist and Pitjantjatjara Elder and ngangkari (traditional healer) Iluwanti Ken has called out the mistreatment of the APY Art Centre Collective following allegations of "white hands on black art".In April, Ken — a co-founder of the collective —…
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