PADDY TJAMATJI (JAMPIN)

Painted at Warmun (Turkey Creek) in late 1984
Gifted to the vendor in early 1985 in Kununurra
Private collection

The black and brown pigments appear to be in stable condition while the yellow and white pigments are unstable and have suffered a multitude of pigment losses. The top corners of the plywood have small breakages as does a 10mm area near the lower right hand corner. There are a number of minor scuffs, smudges and scratches on the surface. The painting has recently been housed in a dark brown wooden 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. The composition features a nascent symmetry where a hill is depicted on each side of a central feature, usually a waterhole or a water course, a device employed by the artist to represent a number of sites including Mount House as in Jilili, big swamp near Mount House, 1983, and two hills on the Ord River on Ivanhoe and Carlton Hills Stations in Pukulmirri and Jukulmirri, Dreaming Hills, 1983, in Thomas, R. et al, Roads Cross: The paintings of Rover Thomas, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, 1994, pp.30, 35, respectively; and Jilyili at Kurnkukurnku, 1985, in Caruana, W. (ed), Windows on the Dreaming: Aboriginal Paintings in the Australian National Gallery, Australian National Gallery, Canberra, and Ellsyd Press, Sydney, 1989, p.173, plate 101, illus. These three works are in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia