Born in 1914, Adolf Inkamala was a notable figure in the Aboriginal art community, affiliated with the Arunta tribe of Central Australia. He emerged as one of the three artistic brothers and played a foundational role in the Hermannsburg School of watercolour artists.
PROFILE
Adolf Inkamala
1914 - 1960
Born in 1914, Adolf Inkamala was a notable figure in the Aboriginal art community, affiliated with the Arunta tribe of Central Australia. He emerged as one of the three artistic brothers and played a foundational role in the Hermannsburg School of watercolour artists. This group operated out of the Hermannsburg Mission in the Northern Territory and became well-known for selling their evocative landscape paintings to tourists in Alice Springs.
Inkamala began his artistic journey around 1947, with his first notable exhibition taking place in Alice Springs in 1951. His dual role as both an artist and a cattle rancher, managing a property on the Haasts Bluff Reserve, influenced much of his work. The landscapes he painted predominantly featured the areas west of Hermannsburg and around his Haasts Bluff cattle lease, capturing the unique essence of the Central Australian landscape.
The art market has seen a considerable number of Adolf Inkamala's works come up for auction, with records starting from 1980. Out of 99 works offered, 74 have successfully sold, marking a sale rate of 75%. His paintings have resonated well within the art community, evidenced by the highest auction price of $1,688 for the piece titled Central Australian Landscape with Ghost Gum, sold by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers in November 2003. Despite no recorded sales in the current year, the last sale occurred as recently as 2023.
Inkamala's contributions to Australian Aboriginal art have not gone unnoticed by major institutions; his works are held in prestigious collections such as the National Gallery of Victoria, the Art Gallery of South Australia, and the National Gallery of Australia. His legacy continues to be appreciated by art lovers and collectors alike, maintaining a lasting impact on the Australian art scene.
ARTIST CV
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