CHARLIE TARARU TJUNGURRAYI

Painted at Papunya in September/October 1971
Acquired by Mr Ron Collins, editor of Geoff Bardon's first film on the Pintupi entitled The Richer Hours, completed in 1971
Private collection, Queensland, acquired from the above

Bardon, G. and J. Bardon, Papunya, A Place Made After the Story: The Beginnings of the Western Desert Painting Movement, The Miegunyah Press, Melbourne, 2004, p. 326, painting 268, under the title Yam Dreaming (Version 2), illus

A photograph of the artist holding this painting, along with several other artists and Geoffrey Bardon standing outside the Papunya painting room in 1971, taken by Fred Friis, is reproduced in Bardon, G., Papunya Tula: Art of the Western Desert, Penguin Books, Melbourne, 1991, p.27; Perkins, H. and H. Fink (eds), Papunya Tula: Genesis and Genius, Art Gallery of New South Wales in association with Papunya Tula Artists, Sydney, 2000, p.246, and again in Bardon and Bardon 2004, p.28

The painting is in good and stable condition overall. The surface has a multitude of minor scuffs and scratches dispersed overall consistent with those often found on early Papunya paintings. These scuffs and scratches should be clearly visible in the reproduction.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Cf. Yam Dreaming (Versions 1 and 3), 1971, in Bardon and Bardon 2004, p.326, illus.; see also Wild Food Story, pre-1972, in the collection of the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, in Croker, A., Charlie Tjararu Tjungurrayi: A Retrospective 1970-1986, Orange Regional Gallery, Orange, N.S.W., 1987, p.47, plate 10, illus

In July/August 1971 Tararu painted a version of the Yam or Wild Potato Dreaming on a floor tile, however Geoffrey Bardon found this unsaleable so he commissioned the artist to paint another version in better quality materials. Executed in September/October 1971, this painting is the result. It depicts the yam plant with the round yams attached: the plant is surrounded by men in ceremonial regalia (U-shapes) with their ritual sticks. For a brief discussion of Tararu's first Yam Dreaming paintings see Bardon and Bardon 2004, pp.326-7 (ibid).