Description:

ATTRIBUTED TO TIMMY PAYUNGKA TJAPANGATI
1940-2000
UNTITLED, c.1972
acrylic on composition board
71.5 × 68 cm; 83 x 79.5 cm (framed)
artwork cataloguing details verso

PROVENANCE
Painted at Papunya, NT, 1972
Seddell McLean, Vic acquired in the late 1970s
thence by decent in 2010 Private Collection, Vic
D'Lan Contemporary, Vic Cat No. INV-TJAA-0006

EXHIBITED
Significant-2023 Part One, D'Lan Contemporary, Melbourne, Vic, 2 June - 22 July 2023

©Timmy Payungka Tjapangati / Copyright Agency, 2024

According to the attribution by John Kean, this painting likely dates to 1971-1972 and suggests the involvement of a renowned artist during the early days of contemporary desert art at Papunya. Its material qualities, particularly the Masonite substrate and a limited palette of black, deep red-oxide, and white, are characteristic of the period. The work features a mix of common and unique pictorial elements that raise questions regarding positive attribution, yet its compelling materiality aligns with other definitively attributed pieces from late 1972.

The painting’s iconography is particularly intriguing, featuring a large black negative space and unconventional shapes, including a potential representation of a pearl shell. This interpretation links the work to Water Dreaming themes, a significant aspect of Aboriginal art. The artistic context of the interregnum, marked by experimentation and innovation, allowed artists to explore diverse iconographies and decorative applications, leading to a flourishing of creative expression. Many works from this time, however, remain undocumented, complicating provenance verification.

After thorough examination, the painting’s idiosyncratic features suggest it could have been created by Timmy Payunka Tjapangati, a notable figure of the period known for his unique approach. The work’s eccentricity, combined with its exploration of Water Dreaming themes, reflects Tjapangati's style and the broader artistic experimentation of the Men’s Painting Room. While further research is necessary for definitive attribution, the evidence points strongly to Tjapangati as the likely creator, enriching the narrative of early Papunya art.

Timmy Payungka Tjapangati was a key figure in the Western Desert art movement, starting his painting career in 1971 under Geoff Bardon. Originating from the Gibson Desert, he travelled extensively due to drought, eventually settling in Haasts Bluff before moving to Papunya. As one of the first Pintupi to settle at Papunya, Payungka's art reflected his deep cultural knowledge and ceremonial role.

Initially, his work featured vibrant depiction of Dreaming stories with dynamic brushstrokes and intricate designs. Over time, his style evolved towards formal abstraction, characterised by repetitive geometric patterns and contrasting colours, reflecting Pintupi conventions and his ceremonial authority.

After leaving Papunya in 1974, Payungka lived in Balgo Hills, Kintore, and Kiwirrkurra, before moving to Alice Springs for medical treatment in the early 1990s. His involvement in a landmark case against the unauthorised use of sacred designs in commercial products highlighted the importance of protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage.

This piece is a fine example of an Australian Aboriginal artwork.

    Artist Name:
  • Timmy Payungka Tjapangati
  • Condition:
  • Contact us for a full condition report

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