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Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula
Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula "Two Women Travelling At Puja" 182x182cm - 1985

1986

About the Item

Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula (c.1942-2001) Titled: « Two Women Travelling At Puja » Size: 182×182 cm year 1986 Acrylic Polymer on canvas cat. no. TT860765 Provenance: Papunya Tula Artists, Certificate of authenticity from Papunya Sotheby’s, Melbourne, 1996, Corporate Collection, Melbourne Christies, Melbourne, Australian Aboriginal Art, 2005 Biography : Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula Place of birth: Haasts Bluff (Ikuntji), Northern Territory, Australia Cultural group: Pintupi people Language: Pintupi Homeland: Western Desert, Central Australia Early Life and Cultural Background Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula was born around 1943 in the remote Aboriginal settlement of Haasts Bluff in the Northern Territory. He grew up within the traditional Pintupi culture, learning sacred knowledge, ceremonies, and Dreaming stories—Tjukurpa, the Aboriginal spiritual and cosmological law. As a custodian of this cultural heritage, he bore the responsibility of preserving and passing down sacred narratives tied to specific sites in the desert landscape. These stories form the basis of many of his paintings. Artistic Beginnings Turkey Tolson was one of the first artists involved in the Western Desert art movement, which began in the early 1970s at Papunya. This movement was encouraged by teacher Geoffrey Bardon, who supported Aboriginal men in expressing their cultural stories using modern materials like acrylic paint on canvas or board. Turkey Tolson became a founding member of the Papunya Tula Artists collective, which would become one of the most influential Aboriginal art organizations. He was involved in some of the earliest collective murals and individual works that launched the contemporary Aboriginal art movement. Artistic Style Turkey Tolson developed a distinctive style, combining minimalism, symbolism, and abstraction. His work is known for: Repetitive geometric patterns (circles, dots, lines) Earthy and subdued color palettes (ochre, black, white, red) Encoded representations of sacred Dreaming stories and desert landscapes A refined, meditative aesthetic One of his most famous paintings is "Straightening Spears" (1990), which depicts the traditional Pintupi practice of straightening hunting spears, while also symbolizing cultural healing and strength. Recognition and Exhibitions Turkey Tolson is recognized as one of the masters of the Papunya Tula movement. His works have been exhibited widely in: The National Gallery of Australia (Canberra) The Art Gallery of New South Wales (Sydney) The Museum of Contemporary Art (Sydney) Numerous international institutions, including in the USA, Europe, and Japan In 1990, he was part of the Venice Biennale, representing Australia on one of the world’s most prestigious art stages. Community Role and Legacy Beyond painting, Turkey Tolson was a respected cultural leader. He was active in advocating for land rights, cultural preservation, and the importance of art in maintaining and expressing Aboriginal identity. He mentored younger artists and played a key role in establishing Aboriginal art as a significant part of the global contemporary art world—not as craft or folklore, but as fine art. Death and Posthumous Impact Turkey Tolson passed away in 2001. His legacy continues through the lasting impact of his work and the continuing influence he has on contemporary Aboriginal artists. Today, he is recognized as one of the most important Aboriginal artists of the 20th century, and his works remain highly valued in both artistic and cultural terms. Collections: Art Gallery of New South Wales Art Gallery of South Australia National Gallery of Australia National Gallery of Victoria National Museum of Australia Art Gallery of Western Australia Quennsland Art Gallery Artbank, Alice Springs Law Court Flinders University Art Museum (Berndt Museum of Anthropology), Perth, WA Robert Holmes a Court Collection, Perth, WA Darwin Supreme Court Ebes Collection Donald Kahn Collection (USA) Richard Kelton Foundation Collection (USA)…
  • Creator:
    Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula (1938 - 2001, Aboriginal Australian)
  • Creation Year:
    1986
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 71.66 in (182 cm)Width: 71.66 in (182 cm)Depth: 1.19 in (3 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    one minor restoration to back.
  • Gallery Location:
    PARIS, FR
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2847216296062

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