The Rod Menzies Estate | Indigenous and Oceanic Art Collection | Part I

ROD MENZIES INDIGENOUS ART COLLECTION COMES TO AUCTION THIS NOVEMBER

Sale includes Emily Kame Kngwarreye’s, Earth’s Creation II – whose sister work was sold by Cooee Art for a record $2.1 million, the highest sale price by an Australian female artist

A significant collection of Australian Indigenous artworks owned by the estate of high-profile auctioneer, entrepreneur and art collector Rod Menzies is to be sold across two auctions, part one set for November 8 2023.

The impressive collection of works for sale was amassed by Rod Menzies between 1999 and 2008, with many on permanent display in a purpose-built gallery at his historic Italianate Mansion. The Rod Menzies Estate Indigenous and Oceanic Art Collection comprises 214 paintings and artefacts with a combined market value of $3 - 5 million; many of these artworks hold the record price for their respective artists.

Among the works for sale is the prodigious Emily Kame Kngwarreye’s Earth’s Creation II, 1995 (LOT #29 EST $400,000 - $600,000), the 318 x 251 cm work comprising nine panels. Kngwarreye’s Earth’s Creation I was previously sold by Cooee Art for $2.1 million, making it the most expensive piece sold by an Australian female artist. Painted during the same workshop, Earth’s Creation II features a cooler, more subdued palette. The grand work exhibits a bold confidence based on Kngwarreye’s deep understanding and inseparable connection to her country. In addition to the Sydney auction viewing, a Melbourne showing of Earth’s Creation II will take place at the Fin Gallery, Prahran.

Other notable works in the collection include Rover Thomas’ Bullock Hide Story, 1995 (LOT #35 EST $50,000 - $70,000), Maggie Napangardi Watson’s Digging Stick Dreaming, 1995/1996 (LOT #28 EST $90,000 - $150,000) and Judy Napangardi Watson’s My Dreaming, 2007 (LOT #27 EST $25,000 - $35,000).

In 2007, a significant number of works from the collection were toured throughout Australia as part of the Masterworks of the Menzies Collection exhibition.