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12Mar08
Art mafia 'ordered' minister's bashing
BIG-TIME criminals behind the $250million-a-year counterfeit and
sweatshop Aboriginal art industry are alleged to have ordered the
bashing of a former Territory attorney-general.
Peter Toyne, 62, who was stabbed in the leg with a sharpened nulla nulla
and clubbed across the head several times by a professional thug in
front of his wife, made the stunning allegations yesterday.
The retired politician is spearheading a campaign to put counterfeiters
of Aboriginal art out of business and close artist sweatshops.
``I won't bow to intimidation,'' he told the Northern Territory News
exclusively last night.
``We can't allow strong-arm tactics to dictate what we do.
``There are a hell of a lot of shonky operators out there _ and some of
them are ruthless.''
Dr Toyne was attacked at his home in Alice Springs last month.
He said his attacker beat him to the ground ``without showing any
emotion or saying a word'' and then calmly walked to his waiting car.
``The attack was very much in cold blood _ the bloke was a
professional.''
Dr Toyne is part of a company called Identiart, which is developing a
way to use latest technology to ``bar code'' indigenous art as a
guarantee of its authenticity.
An increasing amount of Aboriginal art _ particularly didgeridoos _ is
made in China and Indonesia, depriving indigenous Territorians of a
living.
``If we allow this to continue the product _ Aboriginal art _ will lose
all credibility,'' Dr Toyne said. ``And art is one of the good things
going on in communities.''
Dr Toyne said he was also trying to shut down what he called ``artist
sweatshops'' in the Alice Springs area.
``There are several of them,'' he said. ``The people who run them get
Aboriginal artists into debt _ often for relatively little amounts _ and
get them to paint to pay back the money.
``It's virtual slavery.''
Police are still hunting for Dr Toyne's attacker.
25/02/2008
Fujitsu V8 Supercar dies after huge crash at Adelaide's Clipsal 500
“It was sad to learn that Fujitsu V8 Supercar driver Ashley Cooper has
passed away.
Ashley fought a strong battle but sadly his injuries were too great.
Our greatest sympathies and all of our wishes are with Ashley’s family,
in particular his partner Casey and their two children Ella and Bailey.
Hogarth Arts is a huge fan and Supporter of the V8 Supercar Series.
Wednesday February 13,
09:59 AM
Rudd apologises to indigenous peoples
Delivered before a packed parliamentary gallery -
and with thousands of Australians listening outside the House - Mr
Rudd's speech to parliament has said sorry "for indignities and
degradation" inflicted on the Aboriginal people as a historic apology is
delivered to the stolen generations.
Monday February
4.
It is with great sadness that the
Jugadai family and artists of Ikuntji inform you of the passing
of one of its founding members, Kumanjai Napaltjarri Jugadai, in
Darwin last Friday.
Kumanjai Jugadai was integral in the
establishment of Ikuntji Art Centre in the early 90's. She
served on the Desart Executive Committee for a number of years,
as well as holding the position of Secretary of the Ikuntji
Artists Executive over a long period.
She was a fantastic artist who
forged her own unique style over the past 15 years and became
widely known for her unique depictions of the Haasts Bluff
landscape and its surrounds, including Mereenie Ridge, Artji
Creek and her Father's country, Muruntji.
She will be sadly missed by all.
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