Private Eye

18 July – 20 August 2014

The exhibition ‘Private Eye’ presents Aboriginal art works from private collectors in Western Australia, many rare Aboriginal paintings from Australia’s best practitioners. The exhibition provides a unique opportunity to survey a significant period in Aboriginal art through the eyes of local collectors. The paintings have been acquired over the past twenty years and most of the art works not seen publicly since their purchase in the 1990’s. All works are being offered for sale.

The exhibition includes works from famous Australian Aboriginal artists including Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Naata Nungurrayi, Jackie Giles, Johnny Warangkula, Wingu Tingima, Ngipi Ward, Pinta Pinta Tjapanangka, Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, Eubena Nampitjin, Elizabeth Nyumi, Lucy Yukenbarri, Mitjili Gibson, Maxie Tjampitjinpa and Jimmy Pike. Many of these artists have now passed away and their work is rarely seen in local galleries.

Aboriginal art in Australia has evolved rapidly over recent decades, and this collection provides a snapshot of early works from major artists at earlier stages of their careers.  The artworks have qualities that are unique to that period of the Aboriginal art movement, and show us from the inside how local art collections were put together during this important chapter of Australian art history. During this time various remote desert communities with their leading senior artists rose in significance, creating high points in the stream of new Aboriginal art.

Senior artists exhibited from the Papunya movement include Pinta Pinta Tjapanangka, Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula, Maxie Tjampitjinpa and Ronnie Tjampitjinpa. Emily Kame Kngwarreye, described by the National Gallery of Australia as “one of Australia’s leading painters of modern times” has a beautiful Alhalkere painting included.  Balgo artists include Eubena Nampitjin, Lucy Yukenbarri, Bai Bai Napangardi, Susie Bootja Bootja, Elizabeth Nyumi and Nora Wompi. Arnhem Land artists Djambo Burra Burra and Maureen Thompson present two differing approaches to colour and story-telling from Roper River. Western Desert artists exhibiting include Wingu Tingima, Ngipi Ward, Jackie Giles, Tiger Palpatja, Kantjupayi Benson, Nyankulya Watson and Tjuruparu Watson.

The exhibition ‘Private Eye’ is on display at Japingka Gallery at 47 High Street, Fremantle from 18 July to 20 August 2014.

View more work from these artists.

Ronnie Tjampitjinpa
Eubena Nampitjin
Djambo Burra Burra