ROVER THOMAS (JOOLAMA)

Painted circa 1987/88 in the Warmun area
Private collection

This painting was conserved at Melbourne University Conservation Service Ian Potter Art Conservation Centre in 2001. A copy of this report is sold with the lot. There are many areas where the white pigment has lifted or fallen from the surface. The remaining paint and pigments seem to be in good and stable condition and any pigments that had been in need of consolidation were professionally conserved in 2001. The work is housed in a simple hardwood box frame
"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. Gula Gula (Manking), 1989, in the Holmes à Court Collection, in Carrigan, B., Rover Thomas: I want to paint, Holmes à Court Gallery, Perth, 2003, catalogue number 19; and Kalumpiwarra/Ngulalinji (No.3 Bore), 1984, in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia, in Thomas, R. et al, Roads Cross: The paintings of Rover Thomas, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, 1994, p.36, illus. The painting was commissioned by the vendor as a result of his work with the Balangarri Aboriginal Corporation in Warmun and his association with Timmie Timms who, at the time, was the head of the Juwulinypany Aboriginal community on Bow River Station. Guda Guda is a site on the Station, just north of the community of Warmun

The accompanying documentation reads: "Painting of one section of the main range of hills on Guda Guda country (now largely contained in Bow River Station).

The area painted is immediately to the north-west of the present Bow River Station homestead, the station is presently owned and managed by the Juwulinypany Aboriginal Community.

The colours in the painting match those of the hill: dark brown the flat reddish rock, black the bare rock slopes, and light brown the crown of the hill. A creek traverses the hill from the upper midpoint of the painting to the bottom left hand corner.

The painting is in ochres occuring in the area, charcoal and ashes from burnt Blood-wood timber. These are finely ground with stones and mixed with Bloodwood gum to make them adhere.

The painting is by Rover Thomas a traditional Aboriginal artist who lives in Warmun Community Turkey Creek in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia."