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Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula "Two Women Travelling At Puja" 182x182cm - 19851986
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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