MOONLIGHT GAP, 1998

Important Aboriginal + Oceanic Art
Melbourne
4 April 2012
30

QUEENIE McKENZIE NAKARRA

(c.1930 - 1998)
MOONLIGHT GAP, 1998

natural earth pigments with synthetic binder on canvas

100.0 x 140.0 cm

inscribed verso: artist's name, size, date and Red Rock Art cat. KP 391

Estimate: 
$25,000 - 35,000
Provenance

Red Rock Art, Kununurra
Private collection, Western Australia

This painting is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Red Rock Art which states: 'This work was created in June 1998 shortly after the death of Rover Thomas, the artist's life-long friend and artistic mentor. This painting shows a place on Texas Downs Station called Moonlight Gap where an “Out Camp” was established. While mustering this sector of the Station, Queenie was the camp cook and remembered being able to hear the men come in from mustering each evening. The sound of the horses would travel many kilometres down Moonlight Gap enabling Queenie at the camp to pre-empt the arrival of the men. Rover Thomas was one of the stockmen and in Queenie's words: “I could hear them coming long way and make'm fire, boil that water and give Rover a Naliga (tea) straightaway.” After Rover's passing Queenie executed a number of works that were inspired by her time with him...'