Most of the art works offered at The Alison Kelly Collection of Indigenous Art on May 8 in Melbourne by Gibson’s Auctions sold within or above their catalogue estimates with iconic artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye’s (circa 1909-1996) My Country 1994 (lot 30) achieving the top price at $38,000.
Makinti Napanangka (circa 1922-2011) filled second spot with Untitled 2000 (lot 15) – going under the hammer for $10,000 on a $4000-$6000 catalogue estimate, while George Ward Tjungurrayi was not far behind on $9500 for Kaakuratintija 2004 (lot 34).
The buyer who purchased Minni Pwerle’s (1922-2006) Untitled (lot 7) for $9000 was pleased with the pick-up price and the same result was achieved for the Spinifex Women’s Collaboration painting entitled Minyma Tjuta – Women’s Spinifex 2007 (lot 9).
Contemporary artist Maria Josette Orsto and Walangkura Napanangka II (circa 1946-2014) each respectively sold their works entitled Jikapayinga (Female Crocodile) 2008 (lot 29) and Tjukurla 2000 (lot 71) for $7000.
Makinti Napanangka earned another top 10 position with Lupulnga 2002 (lot 2) for $6000, the same price as that achieved for Minnie Pwerle’s Awelye Atnwengerrp 2005 (lot 13).
Popular artist Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi also was much sought after with her Seven Sisters (lot 12) being knocked down for $4600 – almost four times its top catalogue estimate.
