Untitled, Tommy Watson
Oil on linen, 180cm x 120cm
Provenance: Yanada.
Pitijantjatara Law man, Tommy Yannima Watson is a prominent artist from the desert country near Irrunytju in Western Australia. In his youth, Watson learnt the traditional bush skills of hunting and gathering, and deepened his knowledge of the country by living off the land. This was expanded with time working as a stockman and labourer on cattle stations. Once he reached his mid 60s, he began painting alongside a small artist collective. Watson’s use of colour and powerful canvases drew immediate recognition and acclaim, and were nominated for the NATSIAA Art Awards. In 2006 he was among eight Aboriginal artists whose work was integrated into the Musee du quai Branly building in Paris (1).
Watson has stated that his art is an exploration of traditional Aboriginal culture, in which the land and spirituality are intertwined and communicated through stories passed on from generation to generation. He said, "I want to paint these stories so that others can learn and understand about our culture and country." (2).