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Aboriginal Art
Clifford Possom Tjapaltjari

Clifford Possom Tjapaltjari

Anmatyerre
circa 1932 - 2004
Location Papunya Central Australia

Collections
Art Gallery NSW
Art Gallery South Australia
Art Gallery Western Australia
Aruluen Collections Central Australia
Broken Hill art Gallery
Flinders University Museum
National Gallery Victoria
National Museum Australia
Parliament House Canberra
Queensland Art Gallery
South Australia Museum
Kelton Foundation
Victorian Centre Performing Arts

Clifford Possom was one of the most recognised of the Aboriginal Desert Artists.His traditional lands are at Coniston Station,nth west of Alice Springs,Central Australia. Clifford Possum was a visionary Artist who emerged as a leader among the Papunya painting movement.
'Painted Country Gallery's' director has worked closely with Clifford Possom and many of the recognised artists from Central Australia for many years.

Clifford Possum created extraordinary masterpieces that reflected the vast desert landscape,his traditional Aboriginal culture,values and beliefs to create extraordinary complex and beautiful art. One of which was sold to 'The National Gallery of Australia' at a Sotherby's auction in 2007 for over 2 million aud dollars.

Coniston Station was his birth place and he was named after his grandfather Tjatjiti Tjungurrayi. Clifford was initiated into Anmatyerre manhood at Napperby station as a youth. He was the first cousin of Papunya artist Kaapa Tjampitjinpa and Tim Leura was his older brother through traditional Aboriginal family tree relationships.Clifford Possom had no formal education,like many of his fellow artists he was a stockman and an excellent horseman. He settled at papunya with his wife Emily Nakamara in the late 1950's and had four children Michelle and Gabrielle two of which are recognised artists in their own right. They grew up with Billy Stockman's daughter Jillian Stockman Nungarrayi who was the in house artist at 'The Original Dreamtime Gallery' Alice Springs for many years.

Clifford Possum was an exceptional carver before commencing to paint in1972. In 1976 he was chosen to paint a mural for the BBC. Assisted by his brother Tim Leura ' Warlugulong' was screened as a documentary in Australia and the UK. The painting was acquired by the Art Gallery of South Australia in 1980.

The iconography and the simplicity of Cliffords work relates strongly to the vast encyclopedic 'maps' of his 'Dreaming Country'.
Chairman of Papunya Tula Artists from 1980 to 1985 he continued to paint a series of large and small canvas's and consolidated
his highly recognised reputation as the company's best known artist.

Winning the 'Alice Art Prize' in 1983 and featuring his work in the Adelaide Arts Festival Exhibition - 'Painters of the Western Desert'

His family moved to Alice Springs in the mid 1980's so that his children could receive secondry school education.This move allowed him to sell his work to the few private Galleries in Alice Springsincluding 'The Original Dreamtime Gallery' which was one of the first.
From this point in time his work was sought after and commissioned by many corporations.The Instutute of Modern Art in London mounted a retrospective of his work.

Clifford travelled to Louisiana in the USA for an exhibition of his work in St Louis and visited New York to see his art in the exhibition 'Dreamings ' at the Asia Society Galleries in 1990.In 1991, he was presented to the Queen in London he also completed two large commissions for The Strelow Research Foundation and the new Alice Springs airport.From that point on his career escalated and he travelled constantly between Alice Springs and the many capitol cities of Australia. His natural adaption to City life is extraordinary, visiting his two daughters who were married and had settled in the Southern States.Clifford managed his family life and painting carreer with amazing dexterity.

The 'Art of Clifford Possom Tjapaltjari' was launched in 1994.His fame increased and over the next 5 years he travelled widely to exhibitions interstate and overseas.

His painting 'Love Story' was sold at Auction in 1995 .For a decade he sold his work through private dealers worldwide.Throughout his continuing success he remained true to the values of his Amatyerre culture.

The Queens birthday honours list in 2002 awarded 'Clifford Possom Tjapaltjarri' the Order of Australia for his contribution to the Arts and for promoting the 'Western Desert Art Movement' the indigeneous Community and Aboriginal traditions and cultural values.
Clifford Possom Tjapaltjari's work reflects his vast knowledge of his country and ceremony.

In 2003 the Art gallery of South Australia organised a retrospective of his work which toured the National Galleries of Australia and received wide acclaim.

As director and owner of 'The Original Dreamtime Art Gallery' Alice Springs from1988 to 2004 it was a privilege and honour to have personally known and promoted the Art of this iconic artist for such a long period of time.Enquiries regarding his work are now welcome at the 'Painted Country Gallery'.
 
With Rosemary
Sorry Ceremony Clifford Possum Tjapaltjari
Sorry Ceremony CU
Goanna Dreaming Clifford Possom Tjapaltjari
Lightning Dreaming Clifford Possom Tjapaltjari
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