ROVER THOMAS (JOOLAMA)

Painted for Waringarri Aboriginal Arts, Kununurra in 1985
Private collection, acquired from the above

The painting has areas of craquelure. The artist at this point in his career used bush gums such as boiled tree sap as a binder which has caused this surface condition. There is some pigment loss to the white dots which is consistent with the artist's oeuvre, and does not detract from the overall appeal of the painting. There are some very small areas of pigment loss an it is recommended that this work be inspected by a conservator, as it may require stablisation.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Cf. For a related painting by the artist see Frog Hollow country, 1987, in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia, in Thomas, R. with K. Akerman, M. Macha, W. Christensen and W. Caruana, Roads Cross: The paintings of Rover Thomas, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, 1994, pp.13 and 58, illus

An exquisite example of the visually tactile surfaces for which the artist is renowned, this work is comparable in surface quality to some of Rover Thomas' iconic images such as Lake Argyle, 1987, and Roads Meeting, 1987, both in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia (Thomas et al, 1994, pp.17 and 19, respectively, illus).  In this typically bold composition, the artist has emphasised the inherent characteristics and colours of the various natural gums and resins - from either eucalyptus and/or Xanthorrea plants, commonly known as grass trees, (see Clarke, J, in Rover Thomas, Holmes à Court Gallery, Perth, 2000, exhibition brochure). The subtle application of the layers of paint in the artist's controlled, brushy touch creates slight variations in colour and tone

Frog Hollow, now an Aboriginal community by the name of Wurreranginy, is situated on Landsdowne Station just south of Turkey Creek on the Great Northern Highway. It is a site related to the travels of the ancestral Bustard (bush turkey) who is a major totemic figure throughout the Kimberley. In the north and central Kimberley the Bustard is the totem of one patri-moiety, while in the south and across the Great Sandy Desert, right through to the Great Australian Bight, the Bustard is the keeper of fire

This painting is sold with accompanying documentation from Waringarri Aboriginal Arts that reads:  "This painting tells the story of the travels of the Bush Turkey. 'He been through water (Galyu), hills (Gun-nguda) and Black Rock (Maru Maru).  He stops at the waterhole for a drink on his journey'."