Abstract
Considering leading Australian Indigenous artists, we investigate the role of an artist’s gender in the valuation of artworks. Our analysis shows that male and female artists work in different media and mediums and that both sale price and clearance rate differ by artist’s gender. Building on a descriptive analysis, the statistical analysis of the data using sample selectivity models and a Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition shows clear differences between the prices of artwork. We find that, accounting for differences in the characteristics of artworks and artists, the price of artworks by male Australian Indigenous artists is lower than that by female artists.
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Notes
Aboriginal avoidance practices in relation to sorry business (the term which refers to cultural practices and protocols associated with death) dictate that it is disrespectful to refer to a deceased person by their name for a period of time following their death.
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This paper refers to deceased Indigenous artists by name. May their spirits find rest and peace as part of their lands, waters, spirits and all living things. This paper was completed whilst the last-named author was visiting Monash Business School, Department of Marketing, Monash University. We would like to thank the Australian Art Sales Digest for supplying the data used in this paper and note that responsibility for the information and views set out in this paper lies entirely with the authors.
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Farrell, L., Fry, J.M. & Fry, T.R.L. Gender differences in hammer prices for Australian Indigenous art. J Cult Econ 45, 1–12 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10824-020-09382-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10824-020-09382-4