GREER ADAMS FINE ART

Recently sold by Pepai Jangala Carroll (c.1950-2021)

The impressive Walungurru, 2020 is part of an important body of work that Pepai created following his return to his Custodial Country in 2017, his father’s and grandmother’s country, land he had not seen since he was a child. It is was during this visit elders passed down their knowledge of Walungurru and the ancestral wanampi (rainbow serpent) that travelled nearby and is the subject of this work.

In Walungurru, 2020 Pepai has managed to distill with such sophistication, his raw variations of mark-making, like patch-work swatches that seamlessly blend together, carefully guiding the viewer though different aspects of Walungurru Country.

Pepai Jangala Carroll (c.1950-2021)
Walungurru, 2020
synthetic polymer paint on linen
180 x 170cm

(C) Pepai Jangala Carroll/ Copyright Agency 2023

Vale Tim Klingender. Your legacy is huge. Indebted to you in so many ways over the many years of working with you at Sotheby’s and Bonhams and our travels around the world. Thank you for your guidance, for sharing your infectious passion and knowledge, the fun and all the hilarity. In deep respect and gratitude. My thoughts are with Skye, your girls and family. May heaven be an even greater party than you made sure of on earth x

RARE ALBERT NAMATJIRA - SOLD

This rare, luminescent painting of Standley Chasm was a gift from Albert Namatjira to his good friend Iris Harvey.

Mrs Harvey was an Alice Springs institution, running the Arunta Bookstore and Gallery for over 50 years. She was a great patron of Central Australian art, selling painting supplies and buying finished works, and was particularly supportive of the Hermannsburg artists, developing a strong friendship with Albert Namatjira and championing his watercolours.

The family of Mrs Harvey recall that this Albert Namatjira painting of Standley Chasm was shown pride of place at the entrance to the store with a clear sign ‘Not for sale’. According to her grandson William, Iris adored the work, and it is easy to see why.

The first time this stunning work with impeccable provenance had ever been offered on the market. More information on the work in the significant sales link in bio.

Albert Namatjira (c.1902-1959)�Standley Chasm�Watercolour on lightly textured light cream wove paper �53.7 x 37.6 cm�Signed in ink, lower right corner�IMAGE: © Namatjira Legacy Trust/Copyright Agency

ROVER THOMAS – THE FIRST DOCUMENTED WORK

We are excited to announce the discovery and sale of the first ever documented work by major Aboriginal artist Rover Thomas.

The piece has been confirmed by Rover Thomas expert Dr Suzanne Spunner as the lost Rover Thomas painting that had been on display in the Wungkul community store in Warmun in late 1983.

Rover Thomas is without doubt one of Australia’s most important and collectible artists, and this work marks the beginning of his incredible artistic legacy. Here he is telling a story from his days as a stockman on Texas Downs. The painting shows Barawooban Hill where a big hole forms a natural kangaroo trap. It is depicted as the distinctive bulging teardrop shape that encloses the kangaroo.

Dr Suzanne Spunner had heard mention of this painting, and even seen a circa 1983 photograph of it, and so it is thrilling to finally confirm its existence.

Link to the article in bio.

Rover Thomas (c.1926-1998)
Kangaroo (at Barawooban), 1983
natural earth pigments, bush gum and pencil on composition board
94 x 122cm
© Rover Thomas/ Copyright Agency Limited

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards - a few gems.

1. Remay Munuŋgurr, Djambatj - The Hunter, 2021, synthetic polymer paint, ballpoint pen, oil pastel and coloured pencils on board

2. Ray Mudjandi, Virus Man 2021, natural earth pigments, gum nuts, plywood, wire

3. Alice Guinness, Burndud 2021, synthetic polymer paint on canvas

4. Ms D. Yunupiŋu, Yunupiŋu - The Rock 2018, earth pigments and recycled print toner on stringy bark

5. Foreground, detail of the stringy bark pole by Wanapati Yunupiŋu & Lena Yarinkura’s, Ngalbenbe (sun) 2022, pandanus, kurrajong, feathers, earth pigments and PVA fixative.

6. Overall winner, Margaret Rarru Garrawurra, Dhomala (pandanus sail) 2022

After two years it’s so good to be back. Darwin, as always, turning it on ✨

An unforgettable weekend with some of my Cabrogal and Dharug family on Cabrogal Country. Connecting, sharing, learning and remembering. Tully finally receiving his smoking on Cabrogal land, what’s felt like a missing piece since he was born and being painted up by his cousins. Memories we’ll never forget. So much love for this family.

I don’t share much of my personal life here but with our baby on the way it’s felt like the time to share a little more about my Aboriginal ancestry.

A few weeks ago I collected soil from my ancestors land in preparation for our birth...I’ll explain.

My ancestor Lucy Leane (left) was the last surviving Cabrogal Aboriginal living on traditional land in what’s now the Liverpool & Georges River region of Western Sydney - land occupied by the Holsworthy Barracks.

A matriarch of a long line of incredibly strong women that have come before me, Lucy was known for her powerful voice, advocacy for women & Aboriginal rights & particularly for the right to work and trade up and down the Georges River.

I found out about Lucy & my lineage some time ago (she’s been written about in a great book called ‘Rivers and Resilience’ by Goodall and Cadzow) but only been able to connect to clan, the mob & specific land more recently. The story is long and for another day. For generations it was sadly hidden in my family because of the persecution of both being Sicilian and Aboriginal.

I think my heart always knew of my connection to this lineage... learning from, travelling to & later living throughout remote Aboriginal communities since I was a really young girl, a career within Aboriginal art & often feeling most at home when back in country. Looking back, I know this was my ancestor’s way of walking me home.

Since I fell pregnant, I’ve connected more deeply with Cabrogal mob which has been amazing.

For the birth, we wanted to create a few small rituals to ground and welcome our baby to this new world and specifically to Cabrogal land...

When he arrives we intend to press his little feet into the soil collected from traditional lands and we have a few more personal rituals planned according to what was, & often is, traditionally practiced.

As I reclaim who I am & where I have come from, it’s felt important that my son begin life knowing the richness of his ancestry, and at least be given the opportunity to connect to the wisdom and power imbued in this land as he fully arrives in this dimension.

Australian Indigenous woman’s right to birth ‘on country’ is something that’s being returned to women very slowly. Please check out and the ‘Birthing on Country’ live event by which has an incredible panel discussion about the realties of how pregnant Australian Indigenous women are often experiencing birth. It’s an important education for all of us.

Wow, 10 years ago! This beautiful memory popped up on my phone today. I miss you Arnhem Land and hanging with some of these absolute legends from Maningrida - Samson Bonson, Eddie Namirrkki and Owen Yalandja. A privileged day cutting down trees with the men and watching them in process 🖤

⚡️IN THE STOCKROOM...This dynamo!⚡️

Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori (c.1924-2015)
Dibirdibi Country, 2012
Synthetic polymer paint on linen
121 x 91cm

Get in contact for more details.

A huge day of celebration for Aboriginal art! Congratulations Vincent Namatjira and Hubert Pareroultja! I thought it time to share a little celebration of our own... tiny bundle arriving at the end of the year! 🖤

SO EXCITING, SO DESERVED! 🖤💛❤️

🎆 JUST ANNOUNCED: Congratulations to Vincent Namatjira on winning this year’s with his portrait of Adam Goodes, 'Stand strong for who you are'!

‘We share some similar stories and experiences – of disconnection from culture, language and Country, and the constant pressures of being an Aboriginal man in this country. When I was younger and growing up in the foster system in Perth, Indigenous footballers were like heroes to me. Goodesy is much more than a great footballer though, he took a strong stand against racism and said, “enough is enough”. I stand strong with you too, brother.’ - Vincent Namatjira

The portrait is on display in the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize exhibition, opening tomorrow, Saturday 26 September at 10am. Due to popular demand, opening weekend tickets are sold out. Pre-booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment – plan your visit and purchase tickets now: https://bit.ly/2RzI3JW

Artwork: Winner Archibald Prize 2020 Vincent Namatjira 'Stand strong for who you are' © the artist

With thanks to Presenting Partner ANZ Australia

Iwantja Arts