Australian Indigenous Art

For nearly two decades, Deutscher and Hackett has been at the forefront of the market for Australian First Nations art, earning a reputation for scholarly catalogues, thoughtfully curated exhibitions and landmark auctions that have helped shape national and international appreciation for this increasingly celebrated area of Australian art. Recognised as Australia’s foremost auction house for the sale of important Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, the company is distinguished by the calibre of works it presents and the depth of its specialist expertise. Central to our approach is rigorous research, careful selection and a nuanced understanding of artists, communities, histories and collecting contexts, together with stringent provenance standards which align with the acquisition criteria of major Australian and international institutions.

For collectors, this approach provides confidence and clarity; for vendors, it ensures that significant works are managed with expertise, sensitivity and focused market engagement. Since launching stand-alone Indigenous art auctions in 2009, Deutscher and Hackett has achieved sustained growth and record-setting results – as evidenced by the March 2026 auction which realised more than $4.76 million from 75 lots, with elevated selling rates of 122% by value and 90% by lot. Representing the highest total for an Indigenous art auction in Australia since 2007, notably the sale witnessed spirited bidding from collectors across the globe – with 25% of works acquired by international buyers.

Crispin Gutteridge, Senior Art Specialist and Head of Indigenous Art, brings more than three decades of experience in the Australian fine art auction market. Widely respected for his expertise, connoisseurship and long-standing commitment to Indigenous art, his career previously included a specialist role at Sotheby’s Australia prior to joining Deutscher and Hackett.