News Archive

The University of Western Australia's Faculty of Law in association with UWA Cultural Precinct and Artsource hosted a unique ‘Art after Death Symposium' at the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery in October 2013.

The symposium covered a range of complex legal and financial issues including: artists' copyright and moral rights presented by UWA's Associate Professor Jani McCutcheon; estate planning for artists (Michael Paterson); and tax and financial planning (Bob Poolman).

The cross disciplinary symposium informed the art community about the legal and financial implications of artworks after death - which could be prevented if action is taken whilst alive.  Professor Jani McCutcheon explains: "While some artists may have a superficial understanding of Copyright, moral rights, tax issues and estate planning, many would not, and many would not have considered the particular issues that arise after death, and the imperative to plan for those while living."

The symposium also featured speakers involved in the art community.  The range of topics included: representing artists after death by Gallery owner Seva Frangos; post mortem bequests by Anne Liddle (UWA); unique issues affecting indigenous artists' post-mortem by UWA's Adjunct Professor Sandy Toussaint and a public talk by Katrina Strickland, whose book Affairs of the Art explores the importance of maintaining artists' reputations after death.

Winthrop Professor Ted Snell, the Director of the Cultural Precinct at UWA recommends artists keep informed: "Knowledge is the most effective weapon and having the information about the various areas of potential risk laid out so clearly and concisely was a wonderful first step in providing the means of avoiding some of the potential dangers that lie ahead for artists."

Gavin Buckley, Chief Executive Officer of Artsource agrees: "This unique workshop provided a valuable insight into issues such as artists' wills and estates, which are not often given a great deal of thought in everyday arts practice."

"There are a number of complications which can arise from copyright and moral rights, so it is crucial that artists are equipped with the knowledge to protect their work, particularly when they are no longer here," Mr Buckley said.

Media references

Michelle Kelly (UWA Faculty of Law)  (+61 8)  6488 1375