April 13, 2023

Vale John Olsen

Copyright Agency is saddened to hear of the passing of John Olsen AO OBE. Known for his distinctive painting style and depictions of landscapes, Olsen was one of Australia’s most acclaimed artists. During a career that spanned more than sixty years he won numerous awards, including the Wynne Prize in 1969 and 1985, the Sulman […]

December 12, 2018

International licensing solutions for Australian artists and businesses

The Copyright Agency Visual Arts licensing team often provides its services internationally. Notably in 2018 they licensed Australian artworks to clients in both China and Canada. Copyright Agency Manager of Visual Arts, Judy Grady, says “We have a network of international partners in more than 40 countries who we work with to license the work […]

December 6, 2017

Namatjira Legacy Trust joins Copyright Agency

Following the successful decades-long campaign for the return of artist Albert Namatjira’s copyright, the Namatjira Legacy Trust has enlisted the Copyright Agency to manage the licensing rights of the renowned artist internationally. The rights now reside with the Namatjira Legacy Trust, which represents the Namatjira family, and was established as part of a long-term project […]

November 7, 2017

Namatjira family legacy restored

In October, news emerged that the rights in the work of globally recognised Indigenous watercolourist Albert Namatjira had been returned to the Namatjira family after decades of campaigning. The ABC’s Isabel Dayman reported that the copyright controversy ended, not in a courtroom, but on the phone after the intervention of a high-profile Australian millionaire. Dick […]

September 7, 2017

Three creators receive grants

What do a taxidermist, an Indigenous writer and a poet have in common? They are the three creators who have just received funding from the Copyright Agency’s Create Career Fund. The Create Career Fund supports mid-to-late career artists and authors by providing grants that allow the time to develop new work. Grants are allocated in $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 […]

August 1, 2017

Viscopy member Betty Kuntiwa Pumani wins the 2017 Wynne Prize

Betty Kuntiwa Pumani from Mimili Maku Arts in Alice Springs has won the prestigious $50,000 Wynne Prize for her painting ‘Antara’ (pictured). The Wynne Prize is Australia’s oldest art prize and is judged by the trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. From 753 entries, 42 finalists were selected to this year’s prize, […]

July 14, 2017

Daughter of Eddie Mabo wins inaugural innovation award at Cairns Indigenous Art fair

On Thursday 13 July 2017 Queensland’s Indigenous artists and organisations were recognised among peers at the opening night of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF). Included in the prizes awarded for excellence and emerging talent was the inaugural Award for Innovation, a $10,000 prize sponsored by Copyright Agency | Viscopy, which this year went to […]

March 1, 2016

Artist discovers ceramics in Vietnam

“My work explores challenges and contradictions at the interface of multiple cultural identities and this intensive residency added rich insights and new dimensions to my life and practice.” Nestled on Hanoi’s Red River, Bat Trang is a Vietnamese village with seven centuries of ceramics history. This is where Australian artist, Mai Nguyen-Long recently undertook a […]