QANTAS has been slammed after asking an Aboriginal artist to work for free during NAIDOC Week, with the airline insisting that she would be paid in “exposure” instead of money.

Elizabeth Close shared her outrage on Facebook over the company’s request for her to paint totems and their corresponding ‘Aboriginal’ words on their business and first class crockery, all for free.

In her post the artist, who is a part of the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara communities in Central Australia, expressed her “profound dismay” over the “incredibly disrespectful” treatment she received, citing that she felt her skills and heritage were being exploited by the airline.

“I politely declined and told her it was incredibly disrespectful to ask an Aboriginal artist to come to them, during NAIDOC, to share their time, skills and culture and not remunerate them.”

Close went as far to suggest that Qantas were looking to take advantage of her cultural background to boost the company’s image during NAIDOC week by hiring an Aboriginal artist.

“While I appreciate that to them, their intent is good — the reality is that Qantas are seeking to exploit an Aboriginal artist to make themselves look culturally aware.”

She added that if Qantas had researched her work beforehand it would have realised that what it was asking her to paint was not her strength, further implying that Qantas just wanted an indigenous artist in order to create a culturally inclusive company image.

People were quick to show their support for Close online.

“Thank you for pointing out their cultural ignorance as well as defending creative’s right to pay for time, talent and materials,” one Facebook user said.

“Well done for speaking out and making it public. Appalling Qantas,” another person commented.

A spokesman for Qantas told indigenous media company NITV that they had contacted Elizabeth and apologised for the incident and that it was a misunderstanding with no offence meant to be caused.

As a result of the incident the Qantas team are scheduled to receive cultural training to ensure a situation like this doesn’t occur in the future.