Clifford Possum Tjapltjarri

Napperby Love Story 90x133cm 1998

REGION: PAPUNYA – NORTHERN TERRITORY
LANGUAGE: ANMATYERRE

Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri is arguably the most famous male Central Western Desert artist, who from 1971 until his death in 2002 dominated the Aboriginal art scene. Hailed as the master and pioneer of Central Western Dot painting, Clifford merged the traditional with the contemporary creating artworks which moved beyond their canvas speaking to all who gaze upon them.

Napperby Worm Dreaming 1996

Born at Napperby Station, north-west of Alice Springs, he is the youngest son of ‘One Pound’ Jimmy Tjungurrayi and Long Rose Nangala [both deceased]. Similar to many Aboriginal artists of this time, he began his working career as a stockman on various cattle stations established on his ancestral country and later was employed in the construction of the Papunya settlement. An established wood-carver and a skilled painter, in the early 1970’s Clifford along with his brother Time Leura Tjapaltjarri joined the ‘painting men’ which soon transformed into the Papunya Tula Artists. In the late 1970’s to the early 1980’s, Clifford Possum was Chairman of this group and in 1990 presented the Queen Elizabeth II with one of his paintings.

The art of Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri by Vivien Johnson and Clifford Possum (Books)

Far right - Mt Denision Dreaming - 100 x 100cm 2000 / The last painting produce in Yuelamu (Mt - Allan) by the late Clifford Possum

Although married and father to Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi, Lionel Possum and Michelle Possum Nungurrayi, Clifford Possum dedicated his time to creating extraordinary three-dimensional artworks widening the circles of knowledge relating to Anmatyerre history, Aboriginal and national history.

WARLUNGULONG Fire Dreaming - 88 x 127cm 1998

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:

1975-83	Peter Stuyvesant Cultural Foundation
1980	Pacific Asia Museum, Los Angeles, USA.
1981	Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
1983	Sao Paulo biennale, Sao Paulo.
1985	Dots and Circles, Melbourne, Australia
1986	The Dreamtime Today, Kintore, N.T. Australia
1988	Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri Paintings 1973-1986, Retrospective Exhibition, Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, England.
1988-1990	Dreamings. The Art of Aboriginal Australia. Travelling Exhibition. New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Melbourne & Adelaide.
1991	Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami, USA
1993	Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
1994	National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
1999	Flinders Art Museum, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia Tjinytjilpa, Embassy of Australia, Washington, USA.
2000-2006	redrock gallery, Group Exhibitions and Collections, Melbourne, Australia

2007

redrock gallery, Group Exhibitions Grand opening, Beijing, PR China

Mens Ceremony - 93 x 155cm 1998

SELECTED COLLECTIONS:
■ National Gallery o Australia, Canberra
■ National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
■ National Museum of Australia, Canberra
■ Robert Holmes a Court Collection, Perth, WA.
■ University of Western Australia, Perth
■ Parliament House, Canberra
■ Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, QLD
■ Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney
■ Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, SA.
■ Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, N.T.
■ Flinders Art Museum, Adelaide, S.A.
■ Mem Aziz Private Collections, Melbourne

AWARDS & COMMISSIONS:
■ 1983 Alice Springs Art Prize
■ 2002 Order of Australia
■ Strehlow Research Foundation, Alice Springs, N.T.- 2 large paintings
■ Alice Springs Airport, Alice Springs, N.T. – 1 large painting
■ Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, N.T.- 1 mural design

Napperby Black Crow 2x 89 x 59cm 1997

redrock gallery, Aboriginal Art Gallery Melbourne Australia, Aboriginal Paintings Artifacts Didigeridoos Boomerangs, redrock gallery Fine Art, red rock, Australian Aboriginal Art