Thursday 26 July 2007

Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri


The painting , above, was made by Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri in 1977. The photo of it comes from Racism No Way.

On Monday night, at the Sotherby's auction, this picture , Warlugalong 1977, set a new world record for the sale of Australian indigenous art, when it was sold for $AUS2.4million.

Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri started painting in the early 1970s and was part of the Papunya Tula movement, initiated by Geoffrey Barden when he went to teach at Papunya , a small Aboriginal community west of Alice Springs.

You might like to read a bit more about it here.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

What an amazing price someone paid. I have two pieces of original aboriginal art,one painted on bark, the other on canvas, plus an original wood carving and a dilly bag. I wonder if they'll ever be worth something like that. I'll never know because we like them too much to part with them.

Jules said...

I just adore Aboriginal Art but haven't bought any yet. I have been buying PNG art which I adore so will have to wait until I get home. This one is out of my league though, but isn't it the most stunning work? I saw it on TV the other night and was just amazed!!!!

Sally said...

I'm thrilled it was bought by the National Gallery, and so publicly available for us all to share and enjoy.

Eliza said...

What a milestone in history selling for that amazing amount. I am so pleased that the National Gallery bought the work now many many people from not only Australia but tourists from all parts of the world will be able to benefit from totally awesome art.

Eliza said...

Oh have you received your Bernie Berlin Book Yet? When you do just email me direct and we can chat.

Only Rule Is No Rule what an amazing artist Hieronymus Bosch. There is a character named Harry Bosch after the painter in many books written by Michael Connelly and they are brilliant crime stories. Just thought you might like a little information twist.

Marie said...

The painting is certainly beautiful but the price paid for it seems ridiculous to me :-))

I don't like it that art, which I adore, should be so closely related to money.

GMG said...

Well, I love the painting! Amazingly, it remembers me of the map of Angola, which far from Australia.
The price doesn't tell me much: just think the money clubs pay to get the services of soccer players, producers pay to movie stars...