For Art Leven, this year was marked by an exciting transformation. Rebranding from Cooee Art to Art Leven, we embraced a forward-thinking approach while staying true to our values of promoting Indigenous art ethically and authentically. The rebrand reflects our vision to foster deeper connections with artists and audiences while continuing to showcase First Nations art both locally and internationally.
The ‘Australian' First Nations art market has seen significant developments in 2024, continuing its upward trajectory with both local and international recognition. A standout moment for the industry was the announcement of Emily Kame Kngwarreye's major exhibition at the Tate Modern in London in 2025. This exhibition solidifies Kngwarreye's standing as one of the most influential artists globally, further highlighting the importance of First Nations art on the world stage.
Our auction results in 2024 were strong, with our First Nations Fine Art Auction on November 12th achieving impressive results. The auction saw a high percentage of works sold, with notable pieces by artists such as Lin Onus and Emily Kngwarreye leading the sales. The top 10 artworks sold in the auction market included three by Lin Onus, one by Ginger Riley, and six by Emily Kngwarreye, three of which were sold by us in our November auction.
More broadly, while the total market revenue was lower than the past two years, as expected, the number of artworks offered was the highest on record. First Nations art represented 9.8% of the Australian auction market, earning $12.94 million out of $132 million. 1,719 Indigenous artworks were offered, with an average sale price of $7,528, reflecting broader trends in the industry. From the market data, it's clear that while the Indigenous art sector saw an increase in the number of works offered, it faced challenges in revenue, reflecting a broader trend in the Australian auction market. Despite this, the sector's representation remains significant, with continued notable presence from top artists like Lin Onus and Emily Kngwarreye. The overall market appears to be stabilising with a slight dip in overall sales, but with sustained interest in high-quality works by leading First Nations artists.
Our 2024 exhibition program showcased a balanced mixture of solo and group shows in partnership with art centres, as well as solo exhibitions by represented artists. Among the latter were highly successful exhibitions by Gadigal artist Konstantina, whose sellout exhibition was followed by a special showing at Parliament House and an announcement of her collaboration with the British Museum. Darwin based artist Joshua Bonson's Ancestors Footsteps, themed around a quasi-pilgrimage to the artist’s ancestral Torres Strait Islands, and It Flows by award-winning artist Joanne Currie Nalingu.
Art Leven also presented first-time solo exhibitions for seasoned artists in Amy Loogatha Rayarriwarrtharrbayingathi Mingungurra, in partnership with Mornington Island Arts and Biddy Timms Napanangka, who has been painting for Warnayaka Arts almost since the art centre’s beginnings.
2024 was also host to a number of interesting collaborations, including Who x Who, in conjunction with our neighbours in ANIBOU. furniture and Strutt Studios. It also marked the second consecutive year that we housed the Oceanic Art Fair and the illustrious Paddington Art Prize.
Finally, our Sydney Contemporary booth showcased the first comprehensive retrospective exhibition of the great Warlpiri artist Lily Jurrah Hargraves Nungurrayi, which included works sourced from private and commercial collections across the globe. Warlpiri Master was accompanied by an illuminating catalogue featuring in-depth essays by multiple authors on the life and career of the celebrated and important artist.
Looking ahead, we are excited to continue elevating, preserving, and celebrating First Nations art in 2025 and beyond, with increased engagement from both new and seasoned collectors, institutions, and global audiences. We hope you enjoy the holidays and stay tuned in the coming weeks for the announcement of our much-anticipated exhibition program for 2025.
