Rover Thomas (Joolama) circa 1926-1998 SNAKE DREAMING IN JOONDAGAL (JUNTARKAL) COUNTRY

Painted at Warmun (Turkey Creek) for Waringarri Aboriginal Arts, Kununurra in 1990
Dreamtime Gallery, Perth
Private collection, Perth
Private collection, London
Sotheby's, Aboriginal Art, Melbourne, 26-27 June 2000, lot 105
Scott Livesey Art Dealer, Melbourne
Private collection, Melbourne, acquired from the above

Turkey Creek: Rover Thomas, Jack Britten, George Mungmung, Freddy Timms, Queenie McKenzie, Hector Jandany, Dreamtime Gallery, Perth, 22 July-19 August 1990, catalogue number 7, illustrated on the invitation

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"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. For paintings of the period in a similar style see One Bullet, 1990, from the Texas Downs Killings series and Kananganja (Mount King), 1988 (from the Bedford Downs Killing series), in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, in R. Thomas with K. Akerman, M. Macha, W. Christensen and W. Caruana, Roads Cross: The Paintings of Rover Thomas, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, 1994, pp.49 and 55 respectively, illus.

This painting is sold with a copy of the original certificate of authenticity from Waringarri Aboriginal Arts, Kununurra which reads in part: 'This painting shows Joondagal country to the east of Turkey Creek where the Dreaming Snake travelled. Doomooriny (meaning any dangerous country) is the hill where the snake left his piss and people are warned not to go there or they will get sick. Garloomboony (the place of the spear) is a sharp hill which can be seen from Turkey Creek. It is a rain stone hill. This means if anyone picks up the stone from that hill it will make it rain. Balan'gerr is the long hill on Texas (Texas Downs Station) where the snake travelled'.

An annotated diagram on the original document identifies the three dominant forms as hills called 'Galoomboony', 'Doomooriny' and 'Baln'gerr'.

The exhibition in which this painting featured on the invitation cover was held to coincide with Rover Thomas representing Australia at the 1990 Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art, and was opened by the Premier of Western Australia, the Hon. Dr Carmen Lawrence.