Elizabeth Hastings’ professional journey reflects the blend of scholarship, integrity, and passion that defines the best of the valuation profession. Beginning her career in museum institutions such as the Bendigo Art Gallery and the British Museum, Hastings went on to join Sotheby’s London in 1996. There, she discovered the fast-paced excitement of the auction world, where the energy of the salesrooms met the academic discipline of art research and valuation. This “perfect marriage” of curatorial expertise and market dynamism shaped the approach she still brings to her practice today.

For Elizabeth, every valuation is rooted in respect for both the artwork and the client. She listens carefully to the stories that accompany each piece, knowing that provenance is central to establishing authenticity and value. A hands-on professional, she prefers to visit clients personally, meticulously photographing, measuring, and documenting each detail before comparing her findings with respected resources such as the International Art Sales Digest and the Australian and New Zealand Art Sales Digest.

“When assessing contemporary works, I also engage with artists’ galleries to ensure valuations reflect the most current primary market insights. This rigorous process allows me to deliver valuations that are fair, transparent, and defensible.  Referencing the ‘AVAA Minimum Valuation Report Criteria’ helps in this process,” she says.

Her career is filled with remarkable moments that illustrate the transformative impact of professional expertise. While working at Sotheby’s, Hastings was part of the team that identified a Ming Dynasty bowl, then being used to store toilet rolls, that went on to sell for more than £50,000. More recently, she assessed a sketch purchased in Hawaii that bore Picasso’s signature. Initially met with scepticism, the work is now under review by the Picasso Authentication Board in Paris. If confirmed authentic, its value will increase by more than one hundred times the purchase price. These moments of discovery highlight not only the financial importance of a valuer’s expertise but also the immense joy it can bring to clients.

Elizabeth attributes her professional standing to a combination of academic qualifications, deep industry experience, and an unwavering commitment to standards. She believes trust in the profession comes from delivering well-researched valuations that can be independently substantiated, always in line with the AVAA Code of Ethics.

“Knowledge, accuracy, diplomacy and confidentiality are all imperative when one is entrusted with the valuable property of clients,” she says with passion.

As an AVAA Certified Practising Valuer and active member of the Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia (AVAA), Elizabeth ensures her practice remains current by drawing on a wide range of resources. These include the AVAA Training & Education portal, global art market analysis reports, and regular attendance at auctions and exhibitions. She also values the community and shared knowledge provided by professional associations, noting that membership provides endorsement, credibility, and a guarantee of professional standards.

For Hastings, the benefits of AVAA membership are clear. The AVAA logo on communications assures clients of her competence, compliance, and ethical standards. She encourages others to join, emphasising the value of belonging to a national peak body that supports education, provides professional tools, and strengthens public trust.

“I feel endorsed and supported by the peak industry body for the work that I do.  I am also grateful to AVAA for the information provided through email news and the training and education portal, which keeps me informed of updates to industry techniques and protocols,” she says.

Elizabeth’s story is a powerful reminder of the professionalism, expertise, and trust AVAA Certified Practising Valuer members certified valuers bring to clients, the business community, and government. Her career demonstrates why AVAA membership and certification are not just credentials, but vital commitments to excellence in practice.

[Elizabeth Hastings – LinkedIn]