Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri

The Australian Aboriginal painter Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri (1932–2002) became one of the leading figures of the Western Desert art movement. In 1990, his first international exhibition was held at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery in London, under the title “Clifford Possum and the Papunya Tula Artists”.

His painting Warlugulong, previously purchased by the Commonwealth Bank for $1,200, was sold at auction by Sotheby’s on 24 July 2007 for $2.4 million. His works are held, among other places, at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the National Gallery of Australia, the Holmes à Court Collection, the Kelton Foundation and the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection at the University of Virginia.

His brother, Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri, and his daughters Gabriella Possum Nungurayyi and Michelle Possum Nungurayyi are also artists. He died in Alice Springs on the day he was to be appointed to the Order of Australia, an honour awarded for his contribution to art and the Indigenous community. He was buried in Yuelamu several weeks after his death, in accordance with the preference expressed by his community and his daughters.

Works recorded at auction

Genève Enchères · Lot 143

Untitled

Acrylic

Original catalogue wording

Sans titre
acrylique

Catalogue period : 2026-04-29

Published result : 5500 CHF

Fees not specified in the available data

Estimate : CHF 5000–8000

View the lot at the auction house ↗