SIGNIFICANT 2024 | Melbourne
30 May 2024 – 12 July 2024
About Exhibition
This year, we have honoured the historical narrative of Australian First Nations art by curating the collection chronologically to create a clearer interpretation for our audiences – both in Australia and abroad.
An early highlight is Yingapungapu at Djarrakpi circa 1962 by the often-overlooked Yolŋu artist, Narritjin Maymuru. This exceptional work is an incredible discovery for us – having never appeared at auction in Australia before. Rain Dreaming with Ceremonial Man, another highlight by Johnny Warangula, is regarded as the most encyclopaedic of his Kalipinypa paintings. I encourage you to read Professor Howard Morphy’s and John Kean’s authoritative essays on both of these works when our catalogue is released.
And, we are thrilled to rediscover Alec Mingelmanganu’s Wanjina circa 1980 – one of the last large-scale canvases by this most important artist to remain in private hands.
Another significant highlight is Emu 1990 by Emily Kam Kngwarray – a distinctive picture which resonates with iconic qualities. This work has been in the same private collection since 2003 and was exhibited in the first important retrospective of Emily's work in 2008.
Finally, Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri’s monumental masterpiece Rockholes near the Olgas 2007 caps off a truly remarkable body of institutional-quality work within this collection.
Works
Narritjin Maymuru, Yingapungapu at Djarrakpi, circa 1962
Narritjin Maymuru,
Yingapungapu at Djarrakpi circa 1962
Natural earth pigments and synthetic fixative on eucalyptus bark
159 x 56 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted in the Yirrkala region, Northern Territory Likely James Davidson, Melbourne , United States of America , United States of America, acquired from the above , Western Australia, acquired from the above 2020
Private Collection
Sold
Deaf Tommy Mungatopi, Untitled - Tutini, circa 1965
Deaf Tommy Mungatopi,
Untitled - Tutini circa 1965
Natural earth pigments on carved hardwood
120 x 23 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, executed in Milikapiti, Melville Island Lady Alice Bettine Grounds, Melbourne, acquired from the above by descent Victoria Grounds, Melbourne
$25,000
For Sale
Johnny Warangula Tjupurrula, Rain Dreaming with Ceremonial Man, 1971
Johnny Warangula Tjupurrula,
Rain Dreaming with Ceremonial Man 1971
Synthetic polymer paint on composition board
91 x 75.5 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Papunya, Northern Territory Geoffrey Bardon, Sydney By descent Mrs Lois Bardon, Sydney Sotheby's, Melbourne , Melbourne, acquired from the above by private sale in 2012
Private Collection
Sold
John Tjakamarra, Men and Big Totem Corroboree, 1972
John Tjakamarra,
Men and Big Totem Corroboree 1972
Synthetic polymer paint on composition board
47 x 38 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Papunya, Northern Territory Stuart Art Centre, Alice Springs, cat. no. 19183 , New South Wales, acquired from the above
Private Collection
Sold
Uta Uta Tjangala, The Kungka Kutjarra and Yina at Kampurarrpa, 1974
Uta Uta Tjangala,
The Kungka Kutjarra and Yina at Kampurarrpa 1974
Synthetic polymer paint on composition board
57 x 43 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Yai Yai Outstation, Northern Territory Papunya Tula Artists, Northern Territory Aboriginal Arts and Crafts Pty Ltd, Canberra , New South Wales, acquired from the above
Private Collection
Sold
Billy Stockman Tjapaltjarri, Bush Potato and Two Men Dreaming at Ilpitirri, 1973
Billy Stockman Tjapaltjarri,
Bush Potato and Two Men Dreaming at Ilpitirri 1973
Synthetic polymer paint on composition board
60 x 45 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Papunya, Northern Territory Papunya Tula Artists, Northern Territory, cat. no. BS730622 , New South Wales, acquired from the above
Private Collection
Sold
Eddie Etamintja Tjapangati, Untitled - Emu Dreaming, 1973
Eddie Etamintja Tjapangati,
Untitled - Emu Dreaming 1973
Synthetic polymer paint on composition board
122 x 20 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Papunya, Northern Territory Papunya Tula Artists, Northern Territory, cat. no. EE731162 , New South Wales, acquired from the above
Private Collection
$18,000
For Sale
Uta Uta Tjangala, Old Man's Dreaming at Malkunja, 1973
Uta Uta Tjangala,
Old Man's Dreaming at Malkunja 1973
Synthetic polymer paint on composition board
79 x 61 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Papunya, Northern Territory Papunya Tula Artists, Northern Territory, cat. no. U731177 , New South Wales, acquired from the above
Private Collection
$120,000
For Sale
Thancoupie Gloria Fletcher, Boys Fishing, 1972
Thancoupie Gloria Fletcher,
Boys Fishing 1972
stoneware tiles with slip and oxide decoration on incised design
72 x 36 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, created in Sydney, New South Wales , New South Wales, acquired from the above
Private Collection
Sold
Thancoupie Gloria Fletcher, Untitled, 1972
Thancoupie Gloria Fletcher,
Untitled 1972
stoneware tiles with slip and oxide decoration on incised design
34 x 45 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, created in Sydney, New South Wales , New South Wales, acquired from the above
Private Collection
Sold
Bardayal 'Lofty' Nadjamerrek, Untitled - Goanna, circa 1970
Bardayal 'Lofty' Nadjamerrek,
Untitled - Goanna circa 1970
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
72 x 38 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Gunbalanya - Oenpelli, Northern Territory Church Missionary Society, Gunbalanya, Northern Territory, cat. no. 831/MA11/MA02 , New South Wales, acquired from the above
Private Collection
Sold
Curly Bardagadapu, Untitled - Flying Fox, circa 1980
Curly Bardagadapu,
Untitled - Flying Fox circa 1980
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
98 x 46 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Gunbalanya - Oenpelli, Northern Territory Maningrida Arts and Culture, Northern Territory cat. no. OE-02 MUII , New South Wales, acquired from the above
Private Collection
Sold
Alec Mingelmanganu, Wanjina, circa 1980
Alec Mingelmanganu,
Wanjina circa 1980
Natural earth pigments and binders on canvas
118 x 90 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted in Kalumburu, Western Australia Aboriginal and Traditional Arts, Perth, cat. no. KA/21/01111 , Sydney, acquired from the above Aboriginal Art, Sotheby's, 24 June, 2002, Melbourne, lot 29 Clemenger Art Collection, Melbourne, acquired from the above Sotheby's, Melbourne , Victoria, acquired from the above by private sale in 2010
Private Collection
Sold
Emily Kam Kngwarray, Emu, 1990
Emily Kam Kngwarray,
Emu 1990
synthetic polymer paint on linen on oval board
55 x 85 cm (oval)
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Utopia, Northern Territory Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association - CAAMA, cat. no. 1 The Collection of Ladue Investment Partnership, United States of America, acquired from the above Modern + Contemporary Art, Shapiro Auctioneers, Melbourne, 10 December 2003, lot 159 , Sydney, acquired from the above
Private Collection
Sold
Wimmitji Tjapangati, Untitled - Kurra, 1991
Wimmitji Tjapangati,
Untitled - Kurra 1991
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas
91 x 61 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Balgo, Western Australia Warlayirti Artists, Western Australia, cat. no. 452/91 Dick Bett Gallery, Hobart , Melbourne, acquired from the above in 1991
Private Collection
Sold
Gordon Bennett, Portrait and a Wet Dream - Historicism, 1993 - 1996
Gordon Bennett,
Portrait and a Wet Dream - Historicism 1993 - 1996
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas
175 x 308 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist Bellas Gallery, Brisbane , Brisbane, acquired from the above in 1998
Private Collection
Sold
John Mawurndjul, Buluwana and Death Adder Snake, 1993
John Mawurndjul,
Buluwana and Death Adder Snake 1993
Earth pigments on stringybark
205 x 58 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Milmilngkan, Northern Territory Maningrida Arts and Culture, Northern Territory, cat. no. MAW236 Hogarth Gallery, Sydney , United States of America, acquired from the above in 1994
Private Collection
$120,000
For Sale
John Mawurndjul, Untitled - Wayarra Spirit, 1993
John Mawurndjul,
Untitled - Wayarra Spirit 1993
Earth pigments on stringybark
190 x 71 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Milmilngkan, Northern Territory Maningrida Arts and Culture, Northern Territory, cat. no. MAW-229 Hogarth Gallery, Sydney , USA, acquired from the above in 1994
Private Collection
Sold
Makinti Napanangka AM, Women’s Ceremonies at the site of Tutjuraranga, 1997
Makinti Napanangka AM,
Women’s Ceremonies at the site of Tutjuraranga 1997
Synthetic polymer paint on linen
122 x 122 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Kintore, Northern Territory Papunya Tula Artists, Northern Territory, cat. no. MN9701107 Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne , Adelaide, acquired from the above in 1997
Private Collection
Sold
Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, Tingari Ceremonies at the Waterhole Site of Pinari, 1997
Ronnie Tjampitjinpa,
Tingari Ceremonies at the Waterhole Site of Pinari 1997
Synthetic polymer paint on linen
183 x 153 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Kintore, Northern Territory Papunya Tula Artists, Northern Territory, cat. no. RT970178 Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne , United States of America, acquired from the above Important Aboriginal and Oceanic Art, Deutscher and Hackett, Melbourne, 24 March 2010, lot 96 , Brisbane, acquired from the above
Private Collection
Sold
(Midpul) Prince of Wales, Body Marks, 2000
(Midpul) Prince of Wales,
Body Marks 2000
Synthetic polymer paint on linen
120 x 91 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Darwin, Northern Territory Karen Brown Gallery, Northern Territory, cat. no. KB0349 The Collection of Colin and Elizabeth Laverty, Sydney, acquired from the above in 2001 Important Aboriginal Art from the Laverty Collection, Deutscher and Hackett, Sydney, 3 August 2015, lot 121 The Le Pley Collection, Western Australia, acquired from the above
Sold
Billy Thomas, Waarlla, 2001
Billy Thomas,
Waarlla 2001
Natural earth pigments and synthetic binder on canvas
70 x 45 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Kununurra, Western Australia Red Rock Art, Kununurra, Western Australia, cat. no. KP1309 , Melbourne, acquired from the above in 2001
Private Collection
Sold
Kathleen Petyarre, Mountain Devil Lizard Dreaming (After Sandstorm), 2000
Kathleen Petyarre,
Mountain Devil Lizard Dreaming (After Sandstorm) 2000
Synthetic polymer paint on linen
152 x 152 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Utopia, Northern Territory Gallery Australis, Adelaide, cat. no. GAKP0500250 Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne , Melbourne, acquired from the above in 2000
Private Collection
Sold
Willy Tjungurrayi, Untitled - Kaakuratintja, 2001
Willy Tjungurrayi,
Untitled - Kaakuratintja 2001
Synthetic polymer paint on linen
122 x 153 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Kintore, Northern Territory Papunya Tula Artists, Northern Territory, cat. no. WT0111238 , Northern Territory, acquired from the above
Private Collection
Sold
Pincher Talunga, Yuwul, 2002
Pincher Talunga,
Yuwul 2002
Synthetic polymer paint on linen
120 x 80 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Peppimenarti, Northern Territory Peppimenarti, Northern Territory, cat. no. PO403 Karen Brown Gallery, Darwin, cat. no. KB 1354 William Mora Galleries, Melbourne , Melbourne, acquired from the above in 2003
Private Collection
Sold
Wukun Wanambi, Gudultja, 2004
Wukun Wanambi,
Gudultja 2004
earth pigments on hollowed trunk
266 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Yirrkala, Northern Territory Buku-Larrnggay Mulka, Yirrkala Art Centre, cat. no. 25761 Raft Artspace, Northern Territory , Western Australia, acquired from the above in 2004
Private Collection
Sold
Jan Billycan, Kirriwirri, 2006
Jan Billycan,
Kirriwirri 2006
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas
111 x 61 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Bidyadanga, Western Australia Short Street Gallery, Broome, Western Australia, cat. no. 10944 , New South Wales, acquired from the above
Private Collection
Sold
Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri, Rockholes near the Olgas, 2007
Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri,
Rockholes near the Olgas 2007
Synthetic polymer paint on linen
200 x 494 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Amunturrungu - Mt Liebig, Northern Territory Watiyawanu Artists, Northern Territory, cat. no. 77-084378 Nanda Hobbs, Sydney , Melbourne, acquired from the above in 2019
Private Collection
Sold
Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri, Country and Rockholes around the Olga's, 2006
Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri,
Country and Rockholes around the Olga's 2006
Synthetic polymer paint on linen
122 x 60 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Amunturrungu - Mt Leibig, Northern Territory Watiyawanu Artists, Northern Territory, cat. no. 77-06143 , Alice Springs, acquired from the above
Private Collection
Sold
John Mawurndjul, Untitled - Dilebang site, 2007
John Mawurndjul,
Untitled - Dilebang site 2007
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
131 x 62 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Milmilngkan, Northern Territory Maningrida Arts & Culture, Northern Territory, cat. no. 755-07 William Mora Galleries, Melbourne , Melbourne, acquired from the above in 2007
Private Collection
Sold
Wakartu Cory Surprise, Wayamparjarti, 2007
Wakartu Cory Surprise,
Wayamparjarti 2007
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas
117.5 x 90 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia Mangkaja Arts, Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia, cat. no. 732/07 Suzanne O'Connell Gallery, Brisbane , Canberra, acquired from the above in 2008
Private Collection
$14,000
For Sale
Boxer Milner Tjampitjin, Purkitji, 2007
Boxer Milner Tjampitjin,
Purkitji 2007
Synthetic polymer paint on linen
89 x 30.5 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted in Balgo, Western Australia Warlayirti Artists, Western Australia, cat. no. 535/07 Scott Livesey Gallery, Melbourne , Melbourne acquired from the above in 2007
Private Collection
Sold
Makinti Napanangka AM, Untitled - Lupulnga, 2009
Makinti Napanangka AM,
Untitled - Lupulnga 2009
Synthetic polymer paint on linen
107 x 91 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Kintore, Northern Territory Papunya Tula Artists, Northern Territory, cat. no. MN0901067 , Melbourne, acquired from the above in 2009
Private Collection
Sold
Tommy Mitchell, Wakapulka, 2009
Tommy Mitchell,
Wakapulka 2009
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas
101.6 x 101.6 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Warakurna, Western Australia Warakurna Artists, Western Australia, cat. no. 235-09 , Northern Territory, acquired from the above D'Lan Contemporary, Melbourne , Melbourne, acquired from the above in 2017
Private Collection
Sold
Tommy Mitchell, Wakalpulka, 2011
Tommy Mitchell,
Wakalpulka 2011
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas
101 x 76 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Warakurna, Western Australia Warakurna Artists, Western Australia, cat. no. 730-11 Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney , Sydney acquired from the above Australian, Indigenous & Oceanic Art, Mossgreen Auctions, Melbourne, 21 July 2015, lot 1 , Melbourne acquired from the above
Private Collection
Sold
Whiskey Tjukangku, Punu Trees, 2011
Whiskey Tjukangku,
Punu Trees 2011
Synthetic polymer paint on linen
150 x 150 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Indulkana, Northern Territory Iwantja Arts and Crafts, Northern Territory, cat. no. 162-11 , New South Wales, acquired from the above
Private Collection
$16,000
For Sale
Angelina Pwerle, Anwekety – Bush Plum, 2022
Angelina Pwerle,
Anwekety – Bush Plum 2022
Synthetic polymer paint on linen
151.5 x 119.5 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Utopia, Northern Territory Artlore, South Australia, cat. no. 1-1022 Marc Gooch, South Australia
Sold
Wukun Wanambi, Wawurritjpal, 2022
Wukun Wanambi,
Wawurritjpal 2022
natural earth pigments and synthetic binder on board
71 x 47 cm
PROVENANCE
The Artist, painted at Yirrkala, Northern Territory Buku-Larrnggay Mulka, Yirrkala Art Centre, cat. no. 225-22 Michael Reid Galleries, Sydney , Melbourne, acquired from the above Catherine Asquith Art Advisory, Melbourne , Melbourne, acquired from the above in 2022
Private Collection
Sold