INDIGENOUS FINE ART AUCTION | DECEMBER 2019

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I am delighted to welcome you to the second Cooee Art MarketPlace indigenous fine art auction for 2019. This dynamic multi-vendor auction features 99 lots valued at $1.0 million to $1.3 million. Our cover lot is a truly spectacular work by Emily Kame Kngwarreye entitled Kame-Summer Awelye, 1992 measuring 121 x 208 cm (Lot 25) is one of those exceptional paintings that were produced at Delmore Downs between November 1991 and February 1992. In an atmosphere of overwhelming humidity, accompanied by hot northerly winds, the anticipation of rain and on-going ceremonial activity enlivened the spiritual atmosphere amongst the female custodians at Utopia. In this painting, radiant fields of yellow and pink dots cluster and trace across the surface, varying in hue and density. This sumptuous work is alive and numinous, reflecting this heightened sense of spiritual awakening. London art dealer Rebecca Hossack met Clifford Possum in the creek bed in Alice Springs in 1989 and invited him to exhibit his work the following year. Eight months later, dressed in a top hat and tails from Moss Bros, a paintbrush characteristically threaded into his hatband, and tennis shoes painted with Possum Dreamings, he had a private audience with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip. He subsequently painted two works in London, one of which he gifted to the Queen and is now in her private collection at Buckingham Palace. Another, begun with his family in Alice Springs and completed in London is his 296 x 128cm, Untitled 1989/90 painting, depicting aspects of ceremonial activities at Mount Allan. The work created in synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen is included in this sale with an estimate of $70,000- 90,000 (Lot 72). The painting toured through the UK to galleries including the Barbican and the Australian High Commission in London during the early 1990s. There are 12 superb bark paintings peppered throughout this offering. The most significant of these is a very rare example by the acknowledged master of Wandjina painting, Alec Mingelmanganu (Lot 15). Works on bark by this artist are rare, with only five having ever appeared at public sale. One rare bark by this artist sold in Sotheby’s London 2015 sale for $187,000. The work in this sale, which has been in the same family since it was originally purchased at the YMCA shop in Derby in 1975, is modestly estimated at $60,000 – 80,000. Of the remaining barks, two particularly stand out. A lovely rendition of a plains kangaroo by the renowned cave painter Peter Maralwanga (Lot 13) and an exquisite bark depicting Macassan traders by Mungurrawuy Yunupingu (Lot 12). These carry estimates of $12,000 – 15,000 and $9,000-12,000, respectively. These are just a taste of the lovely pieces that the Cooee Art MarketPlace team have managed to collect from regions throughout Australia. There are works on canvas, bark paintings, sculptures, and artefacts by artists of renown, ranging in value from $1,000 to $250,000. You can discover a wealth of information on each of the major artists included in this catalogue, as well as detailed information about the content and subjects of the artworks, on our Cooee Art website www.cooeeart.com.au/marketplace/auction/1210/ I am grateful to the excellent team we have built at Cooee Art MarketPlace and for the good will, faith, and support that so many people have expressed toward our endeavours. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible during the viewings and sale.