Leonard Joel’s annual Indigenous art auction to be held in the evening of Monday 28 August includes an impressive untitled work by Naata Nungurrayi (Lot 30 ). The story of this particular piece is centered around a group of senior women camping at the rockhole site of Marrapinti in Western Australia. Using layered dot detailing and a striking palette of red, white and cream, Naata brings this work to life as a shimmering energetic piece, positioning it as an excellent example of female artistry from Papunya Tula Artists.
Sally Gabori's My Fathers Country (Lot 6 ) is a vibrant and captivating piece, representing her father's country on Bentinck Island in North Queensland. Many of Gabori's early paintings of her father's Country were centered on this river area. Gabori applies her brushstrokes in circular motions emphasising the importance of this crucial fishing area at the river's mouth. Using vivid colours to represent various fish species, her favourite fish the snapper is represented in yellow, while the blue suggests the Ngarrawurda (bluefish).
This annual auction is the second sale since introducing their policy on the trade of Australian Indigenous art, ensuring the artwork Leonard Joel offers for sale has been fairly handled in the primary setting, assisting in the long term with sustaining a healthy secondary market.
Other highlights include the cover piece by Elizabeth Nyumi (Lot 28 ), Nancy Naninurra Napanangka (Lot 13 ), Makinti Napanangka (Lot 28 ), Weaver Jack (Lot 9 ), Simon Hogan (Lot 12 ), along with a significant work by Rover Thomas, Crossroads, c.1995 (Lot 19 ). As an early pioneer of the Warmun school, his legacy stands as a testament to the transformative power of art in connecting cultures and bridging the gap between tradition and modernity. The narrative behind this painting, Crossroads c. 1995, as explained by Waringarri Aboriginal Arts, "shows a crossroads, a favourite subject for the artist. Many traditional songs and stories deal with journeys and meetings by all kinds of beings in many circumstances". While Thomas’ compositions often appear minimalistic, upon closer inspection, they reveal a profound depth of meaning. Steeped with the deep history of the Kimberley region, recurring themes throughout Rover's works point to reconciliation, reflecting his belief in harmony between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Within the diverse offering within this auction, works from Papunya Tula still dominate the collection, with key pieces by Andrew Bullin Tjapangati (Lot 29 ), Johnny Yungut Tjupurrula (Lot 35 ), Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (Lots 44 & 51) and an impressive work by Naata Nungurrayi (Lot 30 ) amongst the best. The story of this particular piece is centered around a group of senior women camping at the rockhole site of Marrapinti in Western Australia. Using layered dot detailing and a striking palette of red, white and cream, Naata brings this work to life as a shimmering energetic piece, positioning it as an excellent example of female artistry from Papunya Tula Artists.
