CLIFFORD POSSUM TJAPALTJARRI

Painted at Warrandyte, Victoria in 1994
Private collection

The painting is in good condition with no visible repairs or restoration.
"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 accompanying photographs of the artist and artwork as well as descriptive notes by Milanka. J. Sullivan. The documentation bears the number CPT/ EJM94004 and reads as follows: "Situated in the artist's home-country of Larumba; near the border of the Tanami and Simpson Desert in Central Australia, Napperby Lake, as shown in this painting as a complex pattern of lines, is essentially, a salt water lake, which flows along underground claypans, that stretch beneath a vast expanse of Anmatjerre territory, which belongs to Tjapaltjarri and Tjungurrayi tribesman, who inherited their native country and culture from their ancient ancestors, who, during the 'Dreamtime', at Creation enshrined their land and law in ritual song, dance, body designs, and symbolic sandpaintings.

Like the sandpainting, or concentric circle, shown by the artist, in the middle of Napperby Lake, where a hairstring bodybelt and the tribesmen's footprints come to rest at the ancestor's ceremonial campsite; near one of the Lake's fresh waterholes. Which is located in plush, vibrant desert landscape, that hosts an array of native bushfruit, emus and bush turkeys, which through creative abstraction and colour, lend expression to Napperby Lake's sacred significance. Which the Tjapaltjarri and Tjungurrayi ancestors and their children, from one generation to another, have long recognized and celebrated in secret/sacred ceremonies, on Napperby Lake's sacred ground".