Tommy Mitchell
(c.1943 - 2013)
TJUNKA’S COUNTRY AND WAKALPUKA, 2010
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
76.0 x 74.5 cm
79.0 x 77.5 cm (frame)
bears inscription on tape verso: artist’s name and Warakurna Artists cat. 410-10
Estimate:
$5,000 - $7,000
Sold:
$11,659 (inc. BP)
© Tommy Mitchell/Copyright Agency 2025
lot details
79.0 x 77.5 cm (frame)
Warakurna Artists, Warakurna, Western Australia
Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
Private collection, Sydney, acquired from the above in March 2011
This work is accompanied by a copy of the certificate of authenticity from Warakurna Artists which states:
‘Tommy Mitchell was born in the desert the Warakurna side of Papulankutja.
This painting is from Tommy’s mother’s and uncle Tjunka Lewis’s country. Tommy Mitchell says this painting is about Tjunka’s country and a special place called Wakalpuka, a rockhole at the base of Wakalpuka.
It’s a story about the Patarrtja (native quoll, sometimes referred to as a native cat). This animal was travelling around. You can not find the Patjarrtja anymore, they have become extinct from this region. Too many wild feral cats.’