Shortlisted for 2016 WA Premiers Book Award (WA History)

The emergence of the modern Aboriginal art movement is the most exciting and transcendent chapter of contemporary Australian history. Within the space of just 40 years Indigenous artists transformed the perception of their culture from something of strictly ethnographic interest, into one of the great internationally acclaimed contemporary art movements of all time. They produced art works that collectors have been prepared to pay thousands, tens of thousands, and even hundreds of thousands of dollars to acquire. These works have found their way into major cities and art collections all over the world. This personal account of the story of the fluctuating fortunes and exponential success of the Aboriginal art movement is an incredibly exciting one with all of the elements one would expect of a complex drama, played out on a national and international stage. Political posturing, personal aggrandisement, commercial skulduggery and greed all play their part.

“The Dealer is the Devil could have been called Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Aboriginal Art. Adrian Newstead started selling Indigenous art in Sydney in 1981 and I think he can justifiably be called an expert. This book reflects his years of experience and is both personal and encyclopaedic; it is sufficiently well-illustrated but the text is a masterpiece of art writing. He retells with excitement the ethnology and early collection of art and artefacts. He traces the growth in international interest in the 20th century, the story of artist Albert Namatjira, and the recognition of Indigenous art as something special. Over the years Newstead has travelled across outback Australia to meet and buy from artists, and their stories are used to illustrate the richness and diversity that exists in Indigenous art (each area has different styles and symbols, and each artist has their own style, and so on). Politics is always in the background, and Indigenous culture and pride are well- presented. Because Newstead is a dealer, he always knows the price, historic and current, which adds a little spice to the story. After reading this book I visited the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney and was able to look much more knowledgeably at the Indigenous art. This is a great book to help readers understand the beauty and significance of Indigenous art.” Clive Tilsley (Owner and Director of Fullers Bookshop) – Books+Publishing

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