Walunja by Tommy Watson

Title: Walunja, 2013 
Artist: Tommy Watson
Synthetic Polymer Paints on Belgian Linen
1610 mm x 4860 mm

'This is my ngura (land). Lots of Tjukurpa here. Ngayulu Iritjita (yangu palaku) Ngura thuta tjinaku ankupai. Long time ago I was young fella I used to walk all through this land. Ngura wirunja (beautiful country) and up there is Lake Amadeus (kapi piti pulkanja). Big water when it rain. Marlu tjuta wakanu (I speared many kangaroos here) mai pulka kaninji. Lots of tucker here.'

Tommy Watson, a senior Pitjantjatjara Elder, began painting on canvas in 2001 and in just four years has took the Aboriginal Art world by storm. His subject is his homeland, Anamarapiti, in the far reaches of the South Western Desert. His works convey immense visual power through rich but minimal colour fields. According to Judith Ryan, senior curator of Indigenous Art at the National Gallery of Victoria, 'Watson produces work that is inward and liturgical which, in common with the early boards of the Pintupi men, exhibits 'incandescence'. Reference: Colour Power, Aboriginal Art Post 1984, in the collection of the NGV, pp112.

'This is my country around Anamarapiti: all the rockholes here. This where I grew up in this country. This is really good country. I want to paint these stories so that others can learn and understand about our culture and country'. Tommy Watson, 2002 (as quoted in Colour Power).

Delivery:
Delivery of artworks is available across Australia and internationally using our network of dedicated art couriers. All delivery costs are additional - our gallery partner will be in touch with a quote upon confirmation of purchase.

Estimated delivery costs:

• Melbourne CBD: $125
• Melbourne Suburbs: $175
• Regional Victoria: $285
• Interstate: $280-$500 depending on location
• International: from $175

To obtain a quote on artwork prior to purchase, please contact our gallery partner at artworks@thelume.com

Delivery timeframes vary based on the destination, however, generally take place within 10 business days of purchase within Australia.

Artwork Code: TW201376