TJAPALTJARRI CLIFFORD POSSUM (ANMATYERRE).CIRCA 1932 - 2002 - Lot 270

TJAPALTJARRI CLIFFORD POSSUM (ANMATYERRE).CIRCA 1932 - 2002 LE REVE DE L'EAU/ WATER DREAMING, 2001 - Clifford was one of the leaders of the Western Desert acrylic painting movement which began in 1971 under the impetus of schoolteacher Geoffrey Bardon who taught painting to the children and adults of the village. The first works were done on the walls and doors of the Papunya school. The painters then used the materials they found on construction sites in the village. They painted on masonite boards (composition board) before canvas was introduced in late 1972 and early 1973, first on cotton duck canvas and then on belgian linen. A travelling exhibition was held in the major Australian museums on the first paintings made on composition-masonite board. Part of this exhibition was then presented at the Musée du quai Branly from 9 October 2012 to 20 January 2013. Clifford Possum still holds the world record for a painting sold at public auction. In 2008 one of his paintings sold for 2.5 million Australian dollars. Clifford left his three children Gabriella the eldest, Michelle and Lionel the youngest all his dreams. His children (second generation painters) have taken their family's dreams and illustrated them in their own way. Clifford taught his three children the art of painting at an early age by having them work on some of his work. Clifford was a strong advocate of the notion of having a dream come true on a painting. This dream of water is very important in the community around Napperby, Clifford's home area. This painting represents the rivers and underground springs of the area. Near these underground springs, besides water, the aborigines could also find all the food they needed to support their tribe. This painting is a superb and rare achievement, as Clifford did very few paintings on this theme. It is at the request of Peter Los that he made some of them. Peter Los being his great friend, nicknamed the "Mate" of Clifford and he always remained very faithful to the family and is still very close to the children Michele, Gabby and Lionel. A painting with a provenance from his collection is one of the best concerning a painting of Clifford Possum and his family. Painting signed on the back and bearing the reference POL CP51 Acrylic on canvas (Belgian linen) - size 211.5 x 122 cm - Provenance: commissioned from the artist in Alice Springs, Peter Los Collection, Private Collection France. A certificate from Western Desert Aboriginal Arts will be given to the buyer.