A series of short films exploring the main legal issues that artists face.

Ben White and Eileen Simpson: A Cultural Commons
Ben White and Eileen Simpson: A Cultural Commons

Each film comprises an interview with an artist about their work, with an overview of the legal implications of their practice by Henry Lydiate, art legal specialist and author of the Artlaw articles.

The films cover:

  • appropriating other people’s work,
  • using out-of-copyright material,
  • protecting your work from commercial abuse,
  • working with commissioners.

Watch the films on our YouTube channel or below.

Site Specific Art – protecting the artist’s vision. With artist Susanna Heron
Art and Appropriation — when does artistic freedom become copyright infringement? With artist David Mabb
Art and Ideas – what does copyright law recognise as art? With artist Simon Faithfull
Gallery Deals – the artist/gallery relationship. With gallerist Rene Gimpel

Art lawyer: Henry Lydiate
Camera and post-production: Donald Bousted
Sound: Christian Burnett
Written and produced by: Lubna Gem Arielle

This article is from the Artlaw Archive of Henry Lydiate's columns published in Art Monthly since 1976, and may contain out of date material. The article is for information only, and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Readers should consult a solicitor for legal advice on specific matters. Artists can get free online legal information from Artquest.