Smokers Sponsor Aboriginal Art?

WARNING: Visitors should be aware that this post includes images and names of deceased people that may cause sadness or distress to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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 Image: Dwight Burdette

Did you know that " The first major exhibition toured by the Aboriginal Arts Board was opened with great fanfare at Stratford in Canada in June 1974. This became known as the Rothmans exhibition after its commercial sponsor, Rothmans of Pall Mall, but its official title was Art of Aboriginal Australia.
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In the 1970s the tobacco industry was a major sponsor of the arts. Canadian audiences flocked to the exhibition in their droves. Hundreds turned out for the opening, where a gourmet buffet was served under a marquee set up on the gallery lawns.

There were politicians and celebrities and television media coverage. Free cigarettes were handed around to the admiring crowd. 'Rothmans had a party yesterday and everybody came,' wrote one reporter. 'And to think,' the report continued, 'smokers paid for the whole thing'.

Commercial sponsorship was another key part of the Aboriginal Arts Board's marketing strategy.

The success of the exhibition owed much to Rothman's support, though the Board commissioned and selected all works and produced the catalogue.

Story of the Women's Camp was one of 17 Papunya works which hung alongside boomerangs, Tiwi sculptures and Hermannsburg watercolours. The Western Desert acrylic paintings held pride of place.

At the tour's end most of the art works were gifted to the 13 Canadian host museums and art galleries.

With few exceptions most have not been seen since.

This is an edited extract of an article by National Museum of Australia curator Peter Thorley which originally appeared in the World of Antiques and Art."

'Story of the Women's Camp and Origin of Damper', 

1973, by Anatjari Tjakamarra.