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TOMMY WATSON (CIRCA 1935-2017)
Kapi Piti 2006
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
inscribed, dated and titled verso: YANNIMA TOMMY WATSON 2006 "KAPI PITI"
cat no. AGTW111200602
118 x 199cm

PROVENANCE
Agathon Galleries, Melbourne
Art Yarramunua, Melbourne
The Sam Newman Collection, Melbourne

NOTES
Selected works from The Sam Newman Collection
Many members of the general public are familiar with Sam Newman's prolific onscreen personality, both on and off the field. Many may not know, however, the football great's support and dedication to the Australian art scene. Who can forget Newman's iconic St Kilda ‘Pamela House'? Complete with a 9 x 8 metre glass patterned façade mural of Baywatch siren Pamela Anderson, the architecturally designed home caused quite the stir when it was built in the early 2000s. Noted at the time by influential members in Australian art including Dr Gerard Vaughan (former director of the National Gallery of Victoria and the National Gallery of Australia), Juliana Engberg, Norman Day, Dimity Reed and Bruce Filley; the façade was regarded as everything from pop art to public art installation to public nuisance (1).

The mural did what many regard as quintessential in art: causing controversy and creating conversation. Newman has been a collector of important Australian artist Jeffery Smart's work, at
one stage owning four pieces, including The Guiding Spheres for which he paid a record price at auction in 1998. Bass Strait by Graeme Roche bears notable similarities to the work of Smart, emulated in the crisp lines and surrealist subject matter. Roche noting, 'I draw inspiration from everyday situations often portrayed slightly out of context...reality juxtaposed. I share this fascination with Smart, Delvaux and Magritte: "inanimate objects live". The classical simplicity
of my work does not always expose the quest for balance. People like the clean image. It pleases me the struggle does not show'.(2) Newman himself has praised the 'neatness an clinical style' of Roche's work, which drew him originally to the painting.(3)

Indigenous artwork is of particular importance to Newman, noting the history and narratives within the works. Although Tommy Watson often keeps the sacred meanings of his paintings private, their spiritual stories transcend explanation. Kapi Piti is an excellent example of his work, exemplifying his signature style using ‘layers of vibrant colours to symbolically represent the country of his parents and grandparents. Oranges, burgundy, reds, ivory and pinks are used to create
sumptuous layers of coloured dots which ripple and surge across the canvas suggesting
contours in the landscape, dry creek beds plains of spinifex and tali (sand dunes).' (4)

Newman is selling the works, only for purely logistical reasons as he downsizes from his
larger property and hopes to transfer the custodianship into new hands. 'I've decided to divest myself of what I think are appealing pieces, including a couple of terrific indigenous
pieces by Tommy Watson. I would rather the pieces move on to someone who could hang them rather than have them stored in a warehouse where they collect dust.'(5)

1. St Kilda Historical Society, 'A Place of Sensuous Resort', Buildings of St Kilda and Their People,
2005, [http://skhs.org.au/SKHSbuildings/22.html], accessed September 2021
2. G. Roche, As I See it: by Graeme Roche, n.d. 3. S. Newman, 2021, Interview by Gibson's
4. M. Knights, Irrunytju Arts: 2001-2006, N.T., Irruntytju Arts, 2006, p.72
5. F. Byrne, 'Why Sam Newman is selling artwork, including that of a celebrated artist', The Herald Sun, September 5, 2021


  • Condition: The painting is unframed and supported on its original stretcher. The painted surface area is stable, and there is no obvious paint loss, or paint contraction. Minor discolouration/dirt marks. Light scuffing to the image, primarily to all four edges of the image. This work is in very good original condition.

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24 October 2021 12:00 AEDT
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