NEWSTEAD ART
Art Dealer, Auction specialist, Consultant & Valuer
SYDNEY (GADIGAL LAND) - FRANCE
Adrian Newstead is an art consultant, auction specialist, valuer, dealer, and author, is based in Bondi Beach, Sydney. With over four decades of dedicated involvement in nurturing the contemporary Aboriginal art market, Adrian established Cooee Art Gallery in Paddington in 1981.
After selling Cooee Art in March of 2023, he launched Newstead Art - an independent consultancy, and auction house providing invaluable expertise for collectors.

Timed Auction: Timed Online Bidding Via Theodore Bruce Auctioneers
Closing From
Thursday 30th October 2025 at:
6.00 PM | New York
3.00 PM | Los Angeles
10.00 PM | London
11.00 PM | Paris
And Friday 31st October 2025 at:
6.00 AM | Hong Kong
9.00 AM | Sydney
Lots begin closing at the times listed above. Bids placed within the final 5 minutes will extend the countdown by five minutes, with extensions possible for up to two hours.
Our specialists can be contacted by email, phone or WhatsApp:
Adrian Newstead – Senior Specialist | adrian@newsteadart.com +61 412126645
James Elmslie – Specialist and Auction Administrator | J.elmslie@theodorebruce.com.au +61 407913870
Online registration and full bidding details: are available via the Theodore Bruce website
Auction Viewing - by appointment – The Gilbert Residence - Albany, New York
Please be advised that my role as head specialist of Coo-ee Art’s auction wing, founded by then co-owner and CEO Mirri Leven and myself in 2017, officially ended in March of 2024. That auction business is now run by Mirri Leven under the trading name Art Leven at the Coo-ee Art premises in on Thurlow St, in Redfern.
All auctions, consultancy and other services advertised by Newstead Art are not in any way connected with Art Leven (formerly Coo-ee Art).
Whilst Mirri and I are no longer in business together, I continue to hold her and the Art Leven team in the highest regard and wish them every success.
Featured Artworks Include
Lot 1 Attributed to Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula (1925 - 2001) Water Dreaming (Tjikarri), c. 1989 synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen 93 x 295 cm Est. AUD $300,000 - $500,000 Est. USD $200,000 - $350,000
Lot 2 Toby Brown Tjampitjinpa (c.1920 - 1986) Sugar Bag Or Corkwood Nectar Dreaming, Papunya, c. 1972 powder pigment on composition board 57 x 43 cm Est. AUD $20,000 - $30,000 Est. USD $13,500 - $20,000
Lot 3 Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri (1930 - 1984) Emu Travelling Dreaming, 1972 powder pigment on composition board 30 x 50 cm Est. AUD $30,000 - $50,000 Est. USD $20,000 - $35,000
Lot 4 Anatjari Tjakamarra (1938 - 1992) Man's Story, c. 1972 powder pigment on composition board 30 x 35 cm Est. AUD $40,000 - $60,000 Est. USD $26,500 - $40,000
Lot 10 Freddy West Tjakamarra (1932- 1994) Tingari Cycle, 1983 synthetic polymer on canvas 153 x 192 cm Est. AUD $9,000 - $15,000 Est. USD $6,000 - $10,000
Lot 11 Ada Bird Petyarre (c. 1920 - 2009) Endunga Dreaming, 1990 synthetic polymer paint on canvas 97 x 118 cm Est. AUD $2,000 - $3,000 Est. USD $1,500 - $2,500
Lot 12 Nancy Petyarre (1934- 2009) Wild Passionfruit Dreaming (Arrutnenge), 1989 synthetic polymer paint on canvas 91 x 61 cm Est. AUD $600 - $1,200 Est. USD $400 - $800
Lot 17 Narritjin Maymuru (1916- 1981) Yingapungapa at Djarrakpi, 1971 natural earth pigment on stringy bark 120 x 57 cm Est. AUD $7,000 - $12,000 Est. USD $4,500 - $8,000
Lot 19 Charlie Matjuwi Burarrwanga (c.1934 -) Four Diver Ducks and a Yirritja Body Design, 1992 natural earth pigment on stringy bark 159 x 63 cm Est. AUD $4,000 - $6,000 Est. USD $2,500 - $4,000
Lot 22 Les Mirrikkurriya (1938 - 1996) Mardayin Arm Bands, 1992 natural earth pigment on stringy bark 130 x 58 cm Est. AUD $2,000 - $3,000 Est. USD $1,500 - $2,000
Lot 26 Gunybi Ganambarr (1973-) Baraltja, 2009 natural earth pigment on stringy bark 230 x 73 cm Est. AUD $8,000 - $12,000 Est. USD $5,500 - $8,000
Lot 27 George Milpurrurru (1934-1988) Goose Hunting Story, 1996 natural earth pigments on canvas 185 x 212 cm Est: AUD $3,000 - $5,000 Est. USD $2,000 - $3,500
Lot 25 Stephen Wurraki Gukuwal (Reef Fish) natural earth pigment on stringy bark 54 x 114 cm Est. AUD $1,500 - $3,000 Est. USD $1,000 - $2,000
Lot 29 Joe Djimbungu (1924-c.1990) Wagilag Creation Story natural earth pigment on stringy bark 123 x 66 cm Est. AUD $3,000 - $5,000 Est. USD $2,000 - $3,500
Lot 41 Les Mirrikkurriya (1938-1996) Ngalyod/Bolong (Rainbow Serpent) at Kidjorl Near Bolkjam, 1994 natural earth pigment on stringy bark 130 x 57 cm Est. AUD $1,500 - $3,000 Est. USD $1,000 - $2,000
Lot 45 Tommy Skeen Tjakamarra (c.1930 - 2000) Ngara Ngara In the Great Sandy Desert, 1996 synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen 91 x 61 cm Est. AUD $4,000 - $6,000 Est. USD $2,500 - $4,000
Lot 46 Millie Skeen Nampitjin (1932 - 1997) Kameradda, 1996 synthetic polymer paint on linen 88 x 59 cm Est. AUD $5,000 - $8,000 Est. USD $3,500 - 5,500
Lot 54 Tommy (Yannima) Watson (c.1935-2017) Untitled, 2014 synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen 121 x 91 cm Est: AUD $10,000 - $15,000 Est. USD $6,500 - $10,000
Stockroom
Artist Profiles
Detailed Artist Profiles, Market Analysis, Market Performance & Top 10 Sales
Artist Interview | Shirley Purdie
Adrian Newstead talks with Gija artist, Shirley Purdie, at the Warmun Community about her painting, Sandfrog Dreaming, 2000.
Exhibitions
Projects & Events
DREAM GAZEBO
Jasmine Mansbridge, Chateau Des Duex Amants, France, 2024
JOHN CUNNINGHAM STUDENT CENTRE INDIGENOUS FLOOR MURAL
Shane Smithers, The Scots College, 2023
GRAND RE-OPENING
Chateau Des Duex Amants, Normandy, France, 2023
WORKING FOR ANIMALS CHARITY EXHIBITION
Curated by Ace Bourke, Bondi Beach, 2023
SEAWEED MOB
Blak Douglas, Bondi Beach, 2018
LAJAMANU DANCERS
Morteza Esmali, Lajamanu, 2015
Advocacy
Gathering of some of the delegates at the first Australian Indigenous Art Trade Association (Art.Trade) conference, Alice Springs, November 1998.
Since 1992, Adrian Newstead has been a member of various advocacy bodies aimed at supporting and promoting Indigenous Art on national and international levels. Among his roles, he has been a Founding Member of the Austrade Visual Art Export Panel (1992 - 1996), Foundation Member of the Australian Indigenous Art Trade Association (1996 - 2023), Board Member of the Australian Art Print Network (1996 - 2012), Board Member and National President of Art Trade, (1998-2002), Board Member of the Aboriginal Tourism Australia (2004-2005), Board Member of the Aboriginal Benefits Foundation (2007-2023), Member of the Art Consulting Association of Australia (2009-2016) and President of the Aboriginal Art Association of Australia (2024-present).
In 2016, Adrian Newstead received an Order of Australia Medal "for service to the museum and galleries sector, particularly through the promotion of Indigenous arts."
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