… Vesna Tenodi has described the intention of the sculpture as to recognise, celebrate and “reinterpret” Indigenous spirituality. She feels spiritually connected to the Wandjina and sees herself as having a right, and even spiritual permission and direction, to use the imagery.
She said recently on ABC’s The Law Report that artists should have the right to “explore and express the divine” and queries how anyone can “claim ownership over god, and wandjina are gods.” Her view is that “any artist has the right to be inspired and influenced by any imagery and any idea they find important and can resonate with”.
…In 2007 a Senate Inquiry recommended the introduction of law to protect Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights. The Government rejected this recommendation.
Read the full article http://fortnightlyreview.info/2010/07/29/non-indigenous-artists-producing-indigenous-art-–-the-wandjina-sculpture-scandal/.