NGURA PULKA, 2005

Important Aboriginal Art
Melbourne
26 March 2014
85

TOMMY WATSON

born c.1935
NGURA PULKA, 2005

synthetic polymer paint on linen

110.5 x 198.5 cm

inscribed verso: artist's name, date, title and Agathon Gallery cat. 02

Estimate: 
$25,000 - 35,000
Provenance

Agathon Gallery, Sydney
Private collection, New South Wales
Deutscher and Hackett, Private exhibition of Important Aboriginal Art, Melbourne, 11-22 October 2011, cat. 2
Private collection, Melbourne

Literature

McGregor, K., (ed.), Yannima Pikarli Tommy Watson: Ngayuku Hgura My Country, MacMillan, Melbourne, 2010, pp. 70-71 (illus.)

Catalogue text

Tommy Watson began painting in 2001, shortly after the formation of Irrunytju Community Art Centre of which he was a founding member. Watson paints both his grandfather's and mother's country, his knowledge of which has grown from a nomadic family life, which informs his paintings.

Recognised for his contemporary, abstract depictions of the landscape, Watson's style developed through his feelings that some artists have misused the ancient, traditional symbols in their artwork and 'could be seen as transgressing sacred law'.1 Demonstrating his creative ingenuity, Watson has created his own style using line, dotting and a powerfully vibrant use of colour to illustrate his paintings which skilfully merge both the stories of his Pitjantjatjara country and of the Dreaming.

Never painting the same thing twice, Watson has a brilliant imagination and when questioned about his view of repeating work he has already done Watson states 'I've been there before; I can't go back there again'.2

Watson is well represented throughout the Australian state and national collections and his work is held in the Musée du Quai Branly, Paris.

1. McGregor, K. and Geissler, M., Yannima Paikarli Tommy Watson, Macmillan Art Publishing, Melbourne, 2010, p. 11
2. ibid.

ANGIE TAYLOR