'Sarah-Jane's commitment to the artists of the Central and Western Desert and her eye for exceptional, tour de force works are what set her Indigenous art collection apart. Of particular note are the powerful, monumental works by Walala Tjapaltjarri and George Ward Tjungurrayi. Not to be missed.' Arjmand Aziz, Art Consultant and Lecturer specialising in Indigenous, Asian and Contemporary Art, SOAS, University of London.
ARTIST: Ada Bird Petyarre
Title: Angertla – Mountain Devil Lizard
Acrylic paint on Belgian Linen
Code: TAB 301
Size: 4' x 4' 1.21m x 1.21m
Awards:
1997: Finalist in the 14th Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award (NATSIAA)
Collections:
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Language Group: Anmatyerre
Country: Utopia/Atangkere
Ada's Dreamings are Mountain Devil Lizard, Bean, Emu, Pencil Yam, Grass Seed and Small Brown Grass. These dreamings she shares with Gloria Petyarre, Emily Kngwarreye, Myrtle Petyarre and Kathleen Petyarre. She reminds us that so much of desert art originated in traditional, ceremonial body painting designs. It is this rawness which speaks clearly of her knowledge of the land, her people and their ceremonies.
ARTIST: Anastasia Bundey Kemarre
Title: Bush Tucker Leaves
Acrylic paint on Belgian Linen
Code: TABK 1202-10
Size: 4'6" x 2', 136 x 61cm
ARTIST: Anmanari Nolan Napanangka
Title: Kungkas travelling to Women's Law
Polymer acrylic on Belgian linen
Code: TANN 301
Size: 4'x3', 121 x 91cm
Anmanari was born in 1938 at Yateman's Bore. Drought in the early 1940s drove her family to the Hermannsburg Mission 125km south west of Alice Springs. Anmanari was married to Lionel Kantawarra Tjupurrula, a Papunya Tula artist, and through him she was inspired to paint. Anmanari's Tjupurrpa (dreaming) is Mulpa (Bush Mushroom).
Collections:
Bailleau Myer Collection, de Young Museum – San Francisco, Active Group-Japan.
Annie Pitjara Hunter, sister to artists Susan, Jessie and Sandy Pitjara Hunter is becoming well known for the fine execution of her interpretation of Women's Business. Like her sisters, Annie is concerned with Awely and all it symbolises during the deeply spiritual women's ceremonies. Over the last few years she has participated in several group exhibitions throughout Australia...
ARTIST: Betty Club Mbitjana
Title:
Awelye and Bush Melon
Code: TBCM 1202
Size: 6' 20" 1.83m x 51cm
The Awelye (body paint) is associated with women's ceremony. The small circles are bush melon, the larger circles ceremonial sites and the large bulbous 'U' shapes represents women.
Born: c.1954. Betty is the daughter of Minnie Pwerle and sister to Barbara Weir. Language Group: Amnatyerre Country: Utopia
ARTIST: Christine Peterson Nangala
Title: Tali - Sandhills
Polymer acrylic on Belgian linen
Code: TCP 709 / TCPN 709
Size: 4' x 22", 121 x 56cm
Language: Luritja
Country: Mt Leibig (Watiyawanu)
Born in Papunya in 1973 Christine is the daughter of Topsy Peterson Napangardi and the niece of Lily Kelly Napangardi. She lives with her family in Alice Springs and Mt Liebig and paints her family's country and Willy Wagtail dreaming.
ARTIST: Cowboy Louie Pwerle
Code: CL924/08 (4)
Size: 44" X 40" 114 X 112cm
Cowboy Louie Pwerle was born in 1941 on Old MacDonald station. He is the younger brother of Louie Pwerle (deceased) who was an important Utopian artist and is an Eastern Anmatyerr speaker. His traditional country lies on the Western side of the Sandover River on Utopia station and stretches west on to Mt Skinner.
ARTIST: Daisy Napaltjarri Jugadai
Title: Mereenie - Haast Bluff
Polymer acrylic on Belgian linen
Code: TDNJ 503
Size: 4' x 3', 120 x 91cm
Dolly Petyarre Mills was born in 1948 at Boundary Bore Outstation on Utopia Community in the Northern Territory and her language group is Alyawarr. Dolly lives with her sister, Gloria (Glory) Petyarre Mills, at Boundary Bore and are full sisters to Greeny Petyarre Purvis. She is widely recognised as one of Australia's leading Aboriginal artists and has work in major Australian and international collections.
ARTIST: Elizabeth Marks Nakamarra
Title: Kalipinpa – a ceremonial area Code: TEM 402
Size: 60" x 36" 1.53m x 91cm
Elizabeth was born in Papunya. When her father passed away she was raised by the famous artist, Turkey Tolson. She has learned the dreaming of her father's country and the specific place called Kalipinpa. She shows the ceremonial area with landforms such as sandhills, watersoaks, rockholes and creeks. She speaks Pintupi, Warlpiri, Luritja and English.
Gloria is one of Utopia's most well known and successful artists. Gloria was the winner of the 1999 Wynne Prize, awarded annually for the best landscape painting of Australian scenery in oils or watercolours or for the best example of figure sculpture by an Australian artist. Gloria has had major exhibitions in Berlin, Milan, Paris, Sydney and New York. Hermes, the French fashion house, has produced a scarf of a Gloria design. Gloria's language group is Anmatyerre and her country is Atnangkere.
ARTIST: Dr George Tjapaltjarri
Title: Men's Business and Pulli
Polymer acrylic on Belgian linen
Code: 01-K-DGT 0004
Size: 3'3" x 1'8", 100 x 51cm
Language: Pintupi
Country: Karrinwarra and Kilingya
Collections:
National Gallery of Victoria, Museum & Art Gallery of Northern Territory.
Dr George is an aboriginal doctor and was attached to the Kintore Clinic. He mainly paints Tingari or secret men's business.
ARTIST: George Ward Tjungurrayi
Title: Sandhill (Tali) Country
Code: TGWT 801
Size: 5' x 3' 1.53m x 91cm
Collections:
Groninger Museum, Groninger, Netherlands
The Kelton Foundation, Los Angeles, USA
The Holmes aCourt Collection, Perth
Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, Darwin
Awards:
2004 Art Gallery of NSW Wynne Prize
Born: early 1950s. George Ward is a senior Pintupi law man and paints ancestral desert narratives west of Kintore. He spends his time between Kintore, Tjukurrla and Alice Springs.
ARTIST: Gladdy Kemmare
Title: Bush Plum Dreaming
Polymer acrylic on Belgian linen
Code: GK1161/10
Size: 5'x4' 152 x 119 cm
Language: Alyawarr
Country: Camel Camp, Utopia
Born: 1937
ARTIST: Gregory Williams
Code: TGRWT 802 (125)
Size: 60 x 47.5” 153 x 121cm
Tjapanardi He was born in Alice Springs and grew up in Yuendumu. Gregory paints Minna Minna, his country. This is the story of women travelling along with dancing sticks and where the made camp. He speaks five languages: Warlpiri, English, Pintupi, Luritja and Pitjantatjara.
ARTIST: Hilda Nakamarra Rogers
Title: When Lightning Strikes
Code: THR 406
Size: 4' x 2' 1.21m x 61cm
Hilda was born at Papunya in 1969 and lives with her husband, Desmond Tjapananka and two children in Yuendumu. Hilda paints When Lightening Strikes, Water Dreaming and Country East of Kintore. Hilda was represented under Warlukurlangu Artists (Yuendumu) in the 2004 Desert Mob exhibition.
ARTIST: Jannelle Stockman
Title: Women Dancing
Polymer acrylic on Belgian linen
Code: JS639/07 or JS638
Size: 4'7" x 39" 140 x 100 cm
ARTIST: Jorna Nelson Napurrula
Title: Possum Dreaming
Polymer acrylic on Belgian linen
Code: TJN 508 22
Size: 4' x 14" 120 x 36cm
Language: Warlpiri
Country: Yuendumu
Jorna paints her Grandfather's country at Mt Singleton, Bush Tucker Dreaming and Janganpa (Possum) dreamings. Her work has been exhibited in London through the Rebecca Hossack Gallery. www.rebeccahossack.com
Josie began painting in the early 1990s and her early works are typical of Utopia Art. Her current style portrays the abundance of colours found in the Central Australian landscape. Josie's language group is Eastern Anmatyerr and her country is Santa Teresa.
ARTIST: Joy Kngwarreye Jones
Title: Awely (Body Paint)
Polymer acrylic on linen
Code: EDA JJ1469/12 13
Size: 32" x 32" 81 x 81cm
ARTIST: Kathleen Petyarre
Title: My Country Bush Seeds
Code: 44
Size: 4’x4’ 121x121cm
Kathleen (Kweyetwemp) Petyarre began painting alongside her famous aunt, Emily Kngwarreye. Kathleen's paintings refer to her country and her 'Dreamings' which she inherited from her father. She shares the Arnkerrth (the Old Woman Mountain Devil Lizard) dreaming with her sisters Gloria, Violet, Ada Bird, Jean and Myrtle, all well known artists. Collection of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Kathleen's language group is Eastern Anmatyerre and her country is Atnangker.
ARTIST: Lily Kelly Napangardi
Code: TLKN802 (130)
Size: 5’x3’ 153x91cm
Lily began painting in the mid 1980s. She is married to the artist Norman Kelly. The Jan – March 2006 Australian Art Collector included Lilly as one of 50 most collectible Australian artists. Lily's language groups are Luritja and Warlpiri, and her country is Haasts Bluff, Mt Liebig and Kunatjarrayi.
ARTIST: Lucky Kngwarreye Morton
Title: Wildflowers
Code: LM1255/11
Size: 3'11" x 1'11" 118cm x 60cm
ARTIST: Lucy Loomoo Nungarrayi
Title: Tingari Cyce
Polymer acrylic on linen
Code: TLLN 1001-5
Size: 4' x 3' 122 x 91cm
Language: Wangkatjunka
Country: Jupiter Well and west to the Canning Stock Route
Born: c 1935.
Lucy began painting for Warlayirti Artists in 1988. Her raw and powerful technique captures the essence of her Tingari Cycle dreamings and associated Women's Law.
ARTIST: Mary Kemmare Morton
Title: Awely (Body Paint) (6 pieces)
Polymer acrylic on Belgian linen
Code: MM745/07
Size: 14"x14" 35 x 35cm x 6
ARTIST: Maureen Walker
Title: Water Dreaming (Ngapa) - My Father's Story
Code: TMW 805
Size: 4' x 1'8" 1.21m x 51cm
Maureen was born at Lajamanu and subsequently moved to Yuendumu. She had four boys before marrying Gregory Williams Tjapanardi. As Gregory is on dialysis they now live permanently in Alice Springs. Maureen has always painted as an independent artist.
ARTIST: Mitjili Napurrula Watiya & Water Going Through the Root System Code: TMN431 (39)
Size: 5’x4’ 151x121cm
Mitjili started painting in 1993. She is married to prominent artist, Long Tom Tjapanangka, her brother was Turkey Tolson and her sister is Narpula Scobie Napurrula. Mitjili's work has been included in over sixty exhibitions in Australia and internationally. Mitjili's language group is Pintupi and her country is Haasts Bluff.
ARTIST: Molly Napaltjarri Jugadai
Title: My Country
Polymer acrylic on linen
Code: TMNJ 706
Size: 4' x 3', 121 x 91cm
Narputta (1933 - 2010) was born at Kaarkurutinytja (Lake MacDonald). She began solo painting in 1992 and was one of the first women to do so. When she was very young her family was completely nomadic. Her father, Tjalakuny, brought Narputta and her brother in from the desert to Haasts Bluff and then returned to nomadic life. Her late husband was Timmy Jugadai, a prominent Papunya Tula artist. Narputta painted her father's country around Lake MacDonald. Narputta won the 1997 National Aboriginal Art Award in Darwin. Narputta's language groups are Pintupi and Luritja. She died in 2010.
ARTIST: Natalie Pula Holmes Title: Sand Dunes Code: NH1088/10
Size: 60cm x 129cm
Only twenty three years of age, Natalie Pula Holmes is an emerging artist. Her fascination with painting goes back to her childhood in Tennant Creek as she watched her mother and artist, Marilyn Brown paint. Her mother saw at once the fascination colours and shapes held for Natalie and encouraged her to experimen...
ARTIST: Ningura Napurrula
Title: Desert Raisin Dreaming
Code: TNIN 202
Size: 4' x 3' 1.21m x 91cm
Born at Watulka she was married to the late Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi with whom she moved to Papunya in the early days of the settlement. In 1996 Ningura began painting for Papunya Tula Artists in her own right. Her work show a strong dynamism and rich linear design created with heavy layers of paint. Her works adorns a ceiling within the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris. Australian Art Collector includes her in their list of the 50 most collectible Australian artists. Collections: National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.
ARTIST: Ollie Kemarre
Title: Arnwekety - Bush Plum Dreaming
Polymer acrylic on linen
Code: OK 396/06
Size: 33" x 23" 84 x 59cm
ARTIST: Pansy Napangati
Title: Willy Wagtail & Hail Dreaming in my Grandfather's Country
Code: TPN 421
Size: 5' x 3' 1.53m x 91cm
Pansy started painting in the early 1970s. From 1960 onwards, Pansy lived at Papunya and learnt the Dreamings of her father's country – Bush Banana, Water Snake, Marlu (kangaroo), Cockatoo, Bush Mangoes and Willy Wagtail. She also learnt the Dreamings of her mother who was born at Illipili – Seven Sisters, Hail, Desert Raisin and Kungkakutjara (two women). Pansy's language groups are Luritja and Warlpiri, and her country is Haasts Bluff.
She paints her Grandfather's Country at Mt Singleton, Bush Tucker dreaming and The Root System with People Sitting. Peggy paints for Warlukurlangu Artists (Yuendumu) and was represented in the 2004 Desert Mob exhibition.
ARTIST: Ronnie Tjampitjinpa
Title: Rock-hole at Tumpilpungkul, west of Lake MadDonald
Acrylic paint on Belgian Linen
Code: KRT 02001
Size: 3'8" x 3'8" 110 x 110cm
Born circa 1966 into the Alyawarr tribe and the younger sister of artists Annie Pitjara Hunter, Jessie Pitjara Hunter and Sandy Pitjara Hunter, Susan lives at the outstation of Irrultja on Utopia in the Eastern Desert. She lives a traditional life spending all her time in the bush with her husband Clements. Susan Pitjara Hunter (also known as Susie) is one of the most gifted young emerging artists of this region...
ARTIST: Thomas Tjapaltjarri
Title: Tingari Cycle
Acrylic paint on Belgian Linen
Code: TTT 803
Size: 4' x 3' 121 x 91cm
Topsy is the younger sister of highly acclaimed artist, Lilly Kelly Napangardi. She has participated in several exhibitions including one to Japan in 2005. Topsy's language groups are Luritja and Warlpiri, and her country is Haasts Bluff, Mt Liebig and Kunatjarrayi. She paints a topographical view of her country at various times of the year using intensive dotting.
Sometimes referred to as the Lost Tribe, Walala and his family group had first contact with the western world in 1984. Prior to this his family group had led a traditional nomadic life in the Gibson Desert. Walala paints the Tingari Cycle, which is a series of sacred and secret songlines. His language group is Pintupi and his country is Marua, Gibson Desert.
ARTIST: Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri
Title: Lake Mackay, Marua (WA)
Acrylic paint on Belgian Linen
Code: TWAT 802
Size: 4' x 3' 121 x 91cm