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Yannima Tommy Watson
Born c.1935, Anamaraptji, west of Irrunytju, WA
Tommy often sings as he paints the stories; the result being works of great vibrancy and immense visual power.
Born c.1935, Anamaraptji, west of Irrunytju, WA
Language group: Pitjantjatjara
Tommy Watson has come to prominence in the last five years in the
primary and secondary markets and is regarded by many as the
greatest living Australian Indigenous artist. Tommy was raised in a
traditional lifestyle before contact with western culture. In his
experiences at Papunya in the 1970s, he witnessed the first
significant painters of the Aboriginal art movement produce works
rich in iconography and traditional stories.
Tommy's own paintings do not present the same imagery which he
feels is 'sacred', rather, he chooses a form of abstraction which
has been likened to the works of great modernist artists such as
Kandinsky, Matisse and Rothko. His use of colour is paramount in
relating the feeling of his country and Tommy often sings as he
paints the stories; the result being works of great vibrancy and
immense visual power.
Tommy has only produced limited numbers of large scale paintings
which are keenly sought. This controlled output combined with his
extraordinary ability has seen near stratospheric prices achieved
for his works in such a short time span. Holding the record at
auction for a living Indigenous artist of $240,000 (Waltitjatta,
2006, Acrylic on linen, 204x251cm, Est: $80,000-100,000,
Lawson~Menzies, Sydney, 23/05/2007, Lot No. 56) and underpinned by
3 further results in excess of $90,000, Tommy's paintings are
already out of reach for many in the market. Large scale works new
to market are usually in excess of $80,000, yet 6 years ago works
of a similar nature were available for under $10,000.
A finalist of the Telstra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Art Awards in 2002, 2003 & 2008 and held in all major public
collections in Australia, plus a permanent presence at the Musee du
Quai Branly in Paris, Tommy Watson's name is mentioned in the same
breath as the iconic artists of the Indigenous movement - Clifford
Possum Tjapaltjarri, Emily Kame Kngwarreye and Rover Thomas.
