ROVER THOMAS (JOOLAMA)

Painted  at Warmun (Turkey Creek) in 1989
Texas Down Collection, Mary Macha, Perth

The painting appears to have had no repairs or restorations and is housed in a contemporary pale box frame. The background pigments are all in excellent and stable condition as are the central white pigmented dots. There is significant loss to the white dotted pigments around the edges and corners of the painting
"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 painting of the same story, see One Hid Under the Bullock's Hide, 1991, in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia, illustrated in Thomas, R. et al, Roads Cross: The Paintings of Rover Thomas, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, 1994, p.48, p.61

This painting is sold with accompanying documentation bearing an annotated diagram of the story depicted, together with notes transcribed by Kim Akerman from an interview with Mary Macha and Rover Thomas, and an accompanying CD of the interview with Kim Akerman and Mary Macha which is transcribed as follows:

That river going that way, big hill there, the other
side. Big flood there- red ground, that to now
River going between those two.
This one come down.
River comes down - his junction there.

Junction of that station creek from Texas.
Other one comes down from station way.
Again from Texas - his junction there.

This one going to Halls Creek, that river.
Going to Halls Creek, that river now that's the
station river - there.
Comes down from station, its junction there.

Another one from Horseshoe Creek,
its junction there.
Horseshoe Creek, this one here, this little
bottom one.

This one - red ground - where they
been killin' bullock - long time.
That's where Jack Kelly been come out -
for killing there now see.