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“Being with my kids … changed a lot of things because for them, families are so important.” Her children, raised among red earth canvases and stories from the desert, have taken on the passion too. “All of my siblings – and I’m the oldest of eight children – and my mum, and they all have Australian Indigenous art in their house as well. “And my mum, she only had that. That’s the only art you have in her house.” Skye O’Meara, chief executive of the APY Art Centre Collective, says Primat’s investment will make a significant and long-lasting difference for Indigenous artists, and the industry. “From the outset, she committed to building her collection in a way that prioritised artists’ care, support and best remuneration,” she says. “When she started, there was far less structure, and more cowboys in the industry; ethical pathways were difficult for the average collector. Bérengère found them, and committed.” What made Primat unique as a collector – and now makes her unique as a director – O’Meara says, is her unwavering commitment to living artists and the diversity of art and culture coming from First Nations communities. “At a time when many galleries, dealers and museums have become increasingly conservative, risk-averse, with a tendency to focus on celebrating artists who have passed away, Bérengère has consistently chosen a different path,” she says. “She champions the careers of living artists, believing that they deserve recognition and support now, while they are working and innovating. In this regard, she shows more courage than many. Bérengère is determined to see First Nations artists celebrated on the world stage and she is making that happen.” O’Meara says the difference it is making cannot be measured now, but will be understood in coming years. “We will begin to truly see the historic significance of Bérengère’s vision and the Opale Fondation’s role in elevating Indigenous artists and their work on the world stage,” she says. Primat is perhaps proudest of the fact that more global institutions are now catching on to the wonder of Indigenous Australian art and major commercial galleries are paying attention. And collectors – even celebrity ones such as Steve Martin, whose own collection has drawn global attention – are taking it seriously. Even if she occasionally misses out on a piece, she says, that’s cause for celebration. “I’m really happy. I’m like, that’s great. It means that more and more people are interested. Instead of being sad … I’m like, yeah, cool. “I’m always looking to the next step. What should I do? And I’m always, you know, asking myself: Am I doing the right thing? Is it really what is needed? “I’m always trying to have the answer from the artists themselves.” , featuring Forrest Bess and Sally Gabori, is showing at Fondation Opale until November 16.
