Lot 39: TOMMY LOWRY TJAPALTJARRI , UNTITLED - CEREMONIAL DESIGN 1971

Bears an artist's name 'John Jagamarra' (incorrect) and language Pintupi, in Geoff Bardon's hand on the reverse Synthetic polymer paint on composition board

48 by 8.5 cm

Painted at Papunya in 1971
Acquired by Mr Ron Collins, editor of Geoff Bardon's first film on the Pintupi entitled The Richer Hours, completed in 1971
Private collection, Queensland, acquired from the above

Cf. Perkins, H. and H. Fink (eds), Papunya Tula: Genesis and Genius, Art Gallery of New South Wales in association with Papunya Tula Artists, Sydney, 2000, p.12 for related paintings that are amongst the very first works produced by the fledgling painting group. Although the writing on the reverse of the painting identifies the artist as John Kiparra Tjakamarra, the painting is identifiable as being in the hand of Tommy Lowry Tjapaltjarri whose technique is clearly visible; a similar painting dated 1971 by the artist, depicting ceremonial sticks, is illustrated in Bardon, G. and J. Bardon, Papunya, A Place Made After the Story: The Beginnings of the Western Desert Painting Movement, The Miegunyah Press, Melbourne, 2004, p.115, paintings 35.