JOHNNY WARANGKULA TJUPURRULA

Painted at Papunya for Papunya Tula Artists in September 1981
Private collection, Melbourne
Sotheby's Aboriginal Art, Melbourne, 9 July 2001, lot 253
Private collection, USA

Good and stable condition. Some rubbing/scuffing at corners. Unframed.
"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."

This painting is sold with an accompanying colour photocopy of the original Papunya Tula Artists certificate, that reads: 'This painting shows the story of Yipa, a small salt lake north west of the Ehrenburg Range.  The story goes that two large snakes travelled to this site and fought there.  One was killed and the other travelled on westwards.  The snake which died can still be seen in the form of a long low rocky outcrop.  The fight meanwhile had been so fierce that it had excavated the lake bed, which can still be seen.  The passage of the snakes is further significant in that it exemplifies the association of snakes with water thus the background contains the sinuous motif associated with rain.  The dotted white background equally represents rain falling.  The roundels are 'pirti' - the snakes holes.'