What constitutes an original artwork? What is the value of an artist-signed work? Is the authenticity of a work compromised by the artistic input of studio assistants and technicians? In the second half of this series, SASHA GRISHIN looks at the culture of silence surrounding fakes and dubious provenance that is rife in the art market.

The art of the con reaches new highs as fraud and chicanery turn to art leasing scams in the latest crimes of persuasion. It's all headed our way, warns ROBERT BURATTI.

Though the dust finally settled following the withdrawal of Christies from our shores, market corrections and calls for tighter regulation of the Australian art market have dampened the enthusiasm of buyers and sellers for the high drama of the auction room. SHIREEN HUDA reports on the vagaries of the current art market.

Scandal, intrigue, drama... these are not new to the art world. Neither is discourse about art or a zeal for collecting new to society. When does notoriety stigmatise a market and when does it convert to collectability? When are scandalous artists embraced and when are they ostracised? SHIREEN HUDA reviews some notable cases.

What constitutes an original work? How legitimate are facsimile reproductions and estate signed prints? What is their value? Are they a growing trend? In a two-part series, SASHA GRISHIN courses the minefield of originals, fakes and copies to search for answers. He begins with the original print in the digital age.

An investment often overlooked by the collector, artists' books offer the owner a hands-on encounter. They are visual and tactile works, and Sasha Grishin delights in discovering the joys of an art form that is for his eyes only. [July 2007]

The prospect of becoming a brand new art collector is exciting, but it can also be daunting. Elizabeth Fortescue finds out how to take the first steps. [July 2007]

Shireen Huda discusses the relative merits of online art sales and auctions. [March 2007]

Sasha Grishin has travelled the country perusing works-on-paper galleries to investigate the renewed popularity of print collecting in Australia. [March 2007]

In a sense the chef and the artist share similar goals, but can their creations work successfully together? Can art influence our perception of food? Anthony Huckstep investigates the role of art in restaurants. [Nov 2006]