OLD WALTER TJAMPITJINPA

Old Walter Tjampajimpa’s paintings are at the most affordable end of the range of works created by the founding members of Bardon’s painting group. Because of his failing eyesight and age he was unable to paint for many years, and he passed away in 1980, before many of these artists entered the second phase of their artist’s development, so the supply of his works is very limited. So far 51 of his paintings have come up for auction of which 76% have sold at an average price of $13,132. His highest selling work is a 52 x 61 cm. iconic board titled Rainbow and Water Story 1972. This sold for $58,750 in Sotheby’s July 2001 auction (Lot 88). It eclipsed his previous record of $39,100 set in Sotheby’s June 1998 sale for a smaller, 45 x 46 cm. work, Water Dreaming at Kalipinypa 1971 (Lot 31).

As is common with most of the early Papunya men’s paintings, works produced in 1971 have faired less well than those produced during the following year, by which time the artists had become used to the medium and, fuelled by the enthusiasm of painting ‘important’ stories, created many of their finest works. Paintings produced from 1973 onward decrease in value rapidly, confirming the principally ‘ethnographic and historical’ interest in works by these artists.

Of the 14 works created in 1971, that have been offered, 13 have sold at an average price of $15,602 with the highest valued works of this period selling for $39,100 and $37,950 at Sotheby’s in 1999 and 1998 respectively. While only 15 of the 23 works created in 1972 have sold the average price paid increased to $15,965 due principally to his highest result of $58,750 at Sotheby’s in 2001. 1973 works have sold well with six of seven attracting buyers however average prices fell to just $6,173, and the only 1974 work offered sold at Sotheby’s in 1996 for just $1,150. As would be expected Sotheby’s have taken up all of the running with this artist with 31 works sold since they first offered a work in 1993 for a total of $433,615 or 86% of the total income generated by him on the secondary market. No other auction house has handles more than 2 works.

Although many of Old Walter’s paintings are sparse in detail and not particularly appealing, a number have powerful imagery that demands attention and are not easily forgotten. Besides the top 2 selling works there are several others that fit into this special category. Mysteriously, one of these, Water Story 1972, a 78 x 31.5 cm. board, failed to reach its reserve in Deutscher-Menzies June, 1999 auction when estimated at only $25,000-$35,000.

The other two works that have wonderful imagery and deserved to fare better when re-sold were Snake and Bush Tucker 1972, which originally attracted $35,750 at Sotheby’s in July 2001 (Lot 93) and dropped to just $21,600 in Sotheby’s July 2005 auction (Lot 266). Another with an undeservedly unfortunate history is Water Dreaming 1972. This 60 x 71.5 cm. board first sold within its estimate for $23,000 in Sotheby’s June 1999 auction, but subsequently failed to reach its presale estimate of $30,000-$40,000 in 2003. It eventually sold for a paltry $14,400, but only when offered in 2005 with an estimate of just $10,000-$15,000. Perhaps this is explained by the fact that, in that particular Sotheby’s sale, a large number of 1971-2 Papunya boards were featured, and these two works in particular fared badly being offered right near the end of the sale as lots 266 and 300. This may have given the impression that Sotheby’s were discounting the value of these paintings. It is likely, however, that whoever bought them will do very well when they are eventually offered for sale again, as Old Walter’s early paintings, than can match these in quality, imagery and content, are scarce indeed.

Old Walter did not live long enough to see the desert painting movement become the dominant force in Australian Aboriginal painting, nor indeed to develop his career beyond a small number of intimately painted and spiritually charged boards. Due to their rarity I consider these to be currently undervalued in the market, and with his record price still below $60,000, and only 4 works having exceeded $25,000 in value, any of his special boards would seem to represent incredible value. Canny collectors should take note.

© Adrian Newstead