Aboriginal Art Market - Top Aboriginal Artists from Australia
Australian Indigenous Artists Ranked According to Highest Selling Price for a
Single Artwork
Warning: This article contains the names and images of Aboriginal and Islander
people now deceased. It also contains links to sites that may use images of
Aboriginal and Islander people now deceased.
* These Australian Indigenous artists
are ranked according to highest selling price for a single artwork,
whether paintings, sculptures or carvings.
Date: 13 August, 2010
Rank |
Name of Artist |
Living or Deceased |
Highest Sale
Price (Au$) |
Title of Work |
Year Sold |
Year Created |
Location |
Notes |
| 1 |
Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri |
D 1932-2002 |
$2.4M |
"Warlugulong" |
2007 |
1977 |
Papunya Tula, NT |
2 others sold for $411,750 each |
| 2 |
Emily Kame Kngwarreye |
D 1910-1996 |
$1.056M |
"Earth's Creation" |
2007 |
1995 |
Utopia, NT (Northern Territory) |
"Spring Celebration" (1991) sold for
$463,000 in 2003+2 others sold for over $200,000 - Details at
arttrust.com.au /artinfo/ Sold at Lawson-Menzies,
Sydney |
| 3 |
Rover Thomas |
D 1926-1998 |
$778,750 |
"All That Big Rain Coming Down Top Side" |
2001 |
1991 |
Kimberley (born in Great Sandy Desert in WA) |
11 others sold for over $300,000 each - Details at
arttrust.com.au /artinfo/ Sold at Sotheby's, Melbourne |
| 4 |
William Barak (aka King Billy) |
D 1824-1903 |
$576,000 |
"Two
Men Dreaming at Kuluntjarranya" |
2007 |
1984 |
Yarra Valley near Melbourne |
Details at Sothebys.com lot_id=
159543021 |
| 5 |
Tommy Lowry Tjapaltjarri |
D 1935-1987 |
$504,000 |
"Corroboree" |
2009 |
1895 |
Papunya Tula |
Details at aasd.com.au Sold at Sothebys, Melbourne |
| 6 |
Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula |
D 1925-2001 |
$486,500 |
"Water Dreaming at Kalipinypa" |
2001 |
1972 |
Papunya Tula |
Details at Jinta Art Website. |
| 7 |
William McLintock Onus
(Lin Onus) |
D 1948-1996 |
$396,000 |
"Water Lilies and Evening Reflections, Dingo Springs" |
2006 |
1996 |
Melbourne |
Aboriginal father
/Scottish mother |
| 8 |
Gordon Bennett |
L 1955- |
$384,000 |
"Possession Island" |
2007 |
1991 |
Monto > Brisbane, QLD |
- Details at arttrust.com.au
/artinfo/ Sold at Sotheby's Melbourne |
| 9 |
Anatjari Tjakamarra |
D 1930-1992 |
$384,000 |
"Story
of a Woman's Camp and the Origin Of Damper" |
2010 |
1973 |
Kulkata,
WA (Papunya Tula Art Movement) |
- Details at
aasd.com.au Sold at Sothebys, Melbourne |
| 10 |
Maggie Watson Napangardi |
D 1925-2004 |
$348,000 |
"Mina Mina Dreaming" |
2008 |
1995 |
Yuendumu, NT |
- Details at arttrust.com.au
/artinfo/ Sold at Lawson-Menzies, Sydney |
| 11 |
Paddy Nyunkuny Bedford |
L 1922- |
$300,000 |
"Joogoomoondiny
- Grawler Gully" |
2007 |
2004 |
Warmun, Kimberley, WA |
- Details at
Menzies Art Brands.com |
| 12 |
Tommy Yanima Watson |
L 1935- |
$240,000 |
"Waltitjatta" |
2007 |
2006 |
Irrunytju,
WA (Western Desert) |
- Details at arttrust.com.au /artinfo/
Sold at Lawson-Menzies, Sydney |
| 13 |
Charlie Numbulmoore |
D 1907-1971 |
$228,000 |
"Wanjina 1971" |
2007 |
1971 |
Mud Springs, near
Kununurra, WA |
- Details at arttrust.com.au
/artinfo/ Sold at Sotheby's Melbourne |
| 14 |
Judy Watson Napangardi |
L 1925- |
$216,000 |
"Women's Dreaming" |
2007 |
1995 |
Yarungkanji, Mt. Doreen Station, NT near Yuendumu |
- Details at Menzies Art
Brands.com |
| 15 |
Naata Nungarrayi |
L 1932- |
$216,000 |
"The Soakage Water
Site of Unkunya, West Of the Pollack Hills in Western Australia" |
2007 |
2005 |
Papunya Tula (Kintore) |
- Details at
arttrust.com.au /artinfo/ Sold at Sotheby's, Melbourne |
| 16 |
Billy Stockman Japaltjarri |
L 1925- |
$201,500 |
"Wild Potato (Yala) Dreaming" |
1998 |
1971 |
Papunya Tula |
Details at Jinta Art Website. |
| 17 |
Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula |
D 1938-2001 |
$168,000 |
"Spear Straightening" |
2008 |
1997 |
Papunya Tula |
- Details at Menzies Art Brands.com |
| 18 |
Shorty Lungkata Tjungurrayi |
D 1920-1987 |
$168,000 |
"Untitled" |
2009 |
1972? |
Papunya Tula |
- Details at
aasd.com.au Sold at Sothebys, Melbourne |
| 19 |
Prince of Wales |
D 1935-2002 |
156,000 |
"Body Marks" (2001) |
2007 |
2001 |
Larrakia Art, Darwin, NT |
- Details at
arttrust.com.au /artinfo/ Sold at Sotheby's Melbourne |
| 20 |
Paddy (Jampin) Jaminji |
D 1912-1996 |
129,750 |
"A Big Hill Gumeri on Bedford Downs
Station" |
2005 |
1984 |
Warmun > Turkey Creek, Kimberley, WA |
- Details at
arttrust.com.au /artinfo/ Sold at Sotheby's Melbourne |
| 21 |
Dorothy Napangardi Robinson |
L 1958- |
$129,750 |
"Karntakurlangu" |
2009 |
2004 |
Pikilyi near Yuendumu, NT |
- Details at arttrust.com.au /artinfo/ Sold at
Sotheby's Melbourne |
| 22 |
Ningura Gibson Naparrula |
L 1938- |
$113,018 |
"Women At
Wirrulnga 2006" |
2006 |
2006 |
Watulka,
WA (Papunya Tula Art Movement) |
- Details at arttrust.com.au
/artinfo/ Sold at Sotheby's, Paris |
| 23 |
Queenie McKenzie Nakarra |
D 1930-1998 |
$102,000 |
"Power Places - Texas Downs Country" |
2007 |
1996 |
Texas Downs Station, Kimberley WA |
- Details at Menzies Art Brands.com |
| 24 |
Ginger Riley
Munduwalawala
|
D 1937-2002 |
$100,375 |
"Limmen
Bight Country" |
2002 |
1996? |
Borroloola, Arnhem Land, NT |
- Details at
arttrust.com.au /artinfo/ Sold at Sotheby's,
Melbourne |
| 25 |
Kathleen Petyarre |
L 1940- |
$96,000 |
"Mountain Devil Lizard Dreaming 2008" |
2009 |
2008 |
Utopia |
- Details at arttrust.com.au
/artinfo/ Sold at Lawson-Menzies, Sydney |
| 26 |
Jukuna
Mona Chuguna and
Ngarta Jinny Bent |
L 1933-
D 1935-2002 |
$88,800 |
"Wayampajarti
Area" |
2009 |
2000 |
Fitzroy Crossing,
WA (Western Desert) |
- Details at Sothebys.com
lot_id=
159543119 |
| 27 |
Dennis Nona |
L 1973- |
$85,000 |
"Apu Kaz - Mother and Baby Dugong" - Bronze Sculpture |
2007 |
2005 |
Badu Island, Torres Strait |
This sculpture was created in Brisbane. |
| 28 |
Eubena Nampitjin |
D 1921- |
$82,750 |
"Ikara" |
2004 |
1992 |
Great Sandy Desert, WA -
Warlayirti Artists, Balgo |
- Details at arttrust.com.au /artinfo/
Sold at Sotheby's, Melbourne |
| 29 |
Jack Britten |
D 1925-2002 |
$82,750 |
"Purnu Lulu, tha Bungle Bungles" |
2005 |
1989 |
Kimberley |
Details at Lawson's Online |
| 30 |
Gloria Petyarre |
L 1945- |
$78,000 |
"Bush Medicine" (1640mmX3540) |
2007 |
2004 |
Utopia |
- Details at arttrust.com.au
/artinfo/ Sold at Lawson-Menzies, Sydney |
| 31 |
Minnie Pwerle |
D 1922-2006 |
$78,000 |
"Awelye Atnwengerrp" |
2007 |
2002 |
Utopia |
Details at Lawson's Online |
| 32 |
John Mawurndjul |
L 1952- |
$78,000 |
"Ancestors at Milmilingkan C." |
2007 |
1994 |
Maningrida, NT |
Details at JoelFineArt.com |
| 33 |
Makinti Napanangka
|
L 1930- |
$72,000 |
"Lupulnga" |
2006 |
2006 |
Papunya Tula |
Details at Lawson's Online |
| 34 |
Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri |
L 1920- |
$72,000 |
"Rockholes near Olgas" |
2007 |
2007 |
Haasts Bluff, NT |
- Details at Menzies Art
Brands.com |
| 35 |
George Ward Tjungarrayi |
L 1955- |
$72,000 |
"Claypan And
Soakage Water Site Of Pinkarrtu" |
2009 |
2004 |
Papunya Tula (Kintore) |
Details at Deutscher and Hackett |
| 36 |
Freddie Timms |
L 1948- |
$66,000 |
"My Country" |
2006 |
1996 |
Bedford Downs Station > Turkey Creek,
Kimberley, WA |
- Details at arttrust.com.au
/artinfo/ Sold at Lawson-Menzies, Sydney |
| 37 |
David Yirawala |
L 1903-1976 |
$64,800 |
"Kundaagi - Red Plains Kangaroo" (on bark) |
2010 |
1962 |
Marugulidban near Maningrida, Arhem Land, NT |
- Details at sothebysaustralia .com.au/
auctions_results.php
Sold at Sotheby's, Sydney |
| 38 |
Ronnie Tjampitjinpa |
L 1943- |
$60,000 |
"Kumpuralgna" |
2007 |
1996 |
Papunya Tula (Kintore) |
- Details at Menzies Art
Brands.com |
| 39 |
Paddy Fordham Wainburranga |
L 1930- |
$55,200 |
"Six Large Barks" |
2007 |
1987 |
Bamdibu, Arnhem Land, NT |
- Details at arttrust.com.au /artinfo/
Sold at Lawson-Menzies, Sydney |
| 40 |
Trevor Nickolls |
L 1949- |
$53,525 |
"Roving in Thomas Town" |
2000 |
1994 |
Adelaide |
- Details at arttrust.com.au /artinfo/
Sold at Deutscher-Menzies, Melbourne |
| 41 |
Walangkura Napanangka |
L 1946- |
$52,800 |
"Kutungka Napanangka at Papunga" |
2007 |
2005 |
Papunya Tula (Kintore) |
- Details at Menzies Art
Brands.com |
| 42 |
Mick Namarari Japaltjarri |
D 1926-1998 |
$51,600 |
"Tingari Cycle
Dreaming Journey" |
2009 |
1972 |
Papunya Tula(Kintore) |
Details at Deutscher and Hackett |
| 43 |
Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri |
D 1939-1981 |
$50,000 |
"Honey Art Story" |
2007 |
1972 |
Papunya Tula |
Details at JoelFineArt.com - another work sold for $34,000 in 2007 |
| 44 |
Brook Andrew |
L 1970- |
$48,000 |
"Sexy And
Dangerous" |
2009 |
1996 |
Sydney (Wiradjuri Nation/Tribe) |
- Details at
Deutscher and Hackett |
| 45 |
Jack Dale |
L 1922- |
$45,600 |
"Wandjinas at Iondra" |
2007 |
2006 |
Derby and Imanji, Kimberley |
- Details at Menzies Art
Brands.com |
| 46 |
Pegleg Tjampitjinpa |
D 1920-2007 |
$45,600 |
"Tingari Story" |
2007 |
2001 |
Papunya Tula |
- Details at Menzies Art
Brands.com |
| 47 |
Regina Wilson |
L 1945- |
$45,600 |
"Message Sticks" |
2008 |
2005 |
Daly River region, Peppimenarti, NT |
- Details at arttrust.com.au
/artinfo/ Sold at Lawson-Menzies, Sydney |
| 48 |
Billy Thomas Joongoorra |
L 1920- |
$44,000 |
"Waringarri at Warla" |
2006 |
2002 |
Mud Springs, near
Kununurra, WA |
- Details at
Shapiro Auctioneers .com.au |
| 49 |
Elizabeth Nyumi Nungurrayi |
D 1947- |
$43,200 |
"Parwalla" |
2005 |
2000 |
Warlayirti, WA |
- Details at arttrust.com.au
/artinfo/ Sold at Lawson-Menzies, Sydney |
| 50 |
Inyuwa Nampitjinpa |
D 1922-1999 |
$43,200 |
"Rockhole at Pukunya" |
2007 |
1998 |
Papunya Tula |
- Details at arttrust.com.au
/artinfo/ Sold at Lawson-Menzies, Sydney |
| 51 |
Mawalan Marika |
D 1908-
1967 |
$43,200 |
"The Milky Way" |
2009 |
1965 |
Yirrkala, Arnhem Land, NT |
Details at Sothebys.com lot_id=
159540496 |
| 52 |
Susie Bootja Bootja Napaltjarri |
D 1932-2003 |
$43,050 |
"Waterhole, Kurtal Country" |
2004 |
2000 |
Great Sandy Desert, WA -
Warlayirti Artists, Balgo |
- Details at arttrust.com.au
/artinfo/ Sold at Lawson-Menzies, Sydney |
| 53 |
Ena Gimme Nungurrayi |
L 1953-1992 |
$42,800 |
"Lilpuwu" |
2004 |
1991 |
Warlayirti, WA |
- Details at arttrust.com.au
/artinfo/ Sold at Sotheby's, Melbourne |
| 54 |
Lily Kelly Napangardi |
L 1948- |
$39,600 |
"Sandhills Around Mount Leibig" |
2007 |
2004 |
Haasts Bluff > Papunya Tula |
- Details at arttrust.com.au /artinfo/
Sold at Sotheby's, Melbourne |
| 55 |
Angelina Ngal Pwerle |
L 1947- |
$38,400 |
"Spring Flowers at Arlparra" |
2007 |
2007 |
Utopia |
- Details at arttrust.com.au
/artinfo/ Sold at Lawson-Menzies, Sydney |
| 56 |
Albert Namatjira |
L 1902-1959 |
$38,400 |
"Mcdonnell Ranges" |
2009 |
1950 |
Hermannsberg Mission, NT |
- Details at
Deutscher and Hackett |
| 57 |
Rita Simpson Muni |
D 1941-deceased |
$38,400 |
"Canning Stock
Route Soaks" |
2010 |
2007 |
Martumili, Great Western Desert, WA |
- Details at
Deutscher and Hackett |
| 58 |
Jarinyanu David Downs |
D 1925-1995 |
$36,800 |
"Kurtal Lying Down at Muwa" |
2000 |
1988 |
Lake Gregory, Great
Sandy desert > Fitzroy Crossing, WA |
- Details at arttrust.com.au /artinfo/
Sold at Sotheby's, Melbourne |
| 59 |
Donny Woolagoodja |
L 1947- |
$36,000 |
"Wandjina Ungud Spirits" |
2007 |
2007 |
Mowanjum near Derby, Kimberley, WA |
- Details at arttrust.com.au /artinfo/
Sold at Sotheby's, Sydney |
| 60 |
Wintjiya (Winnie) Napaltjarri |
L 1932- |
$36,000 |
"Sandhills" |
2009 |
2006 |
Kintore > Haasts Bluff > Papunya, NT |
- Details at arttrust.com.au /artinfo/
Sold at Sotheby's, Melbourne |
| 61 |
Pirrimangka Napanangka |
D 1945-2001 |
$35,750 |
"Old Woman's Story" |
2002 |
2001 |
Papunya, NT |
- Details at arttrust.com.au /artinfo/
Sold at Sotheby's, Melbourne |
| 62 |
Milliga Napaltjarri |
D 1921-1994 |
$35,750 |
"Kulkarta" |
2004 |
1992 |
Kiwirrkura, Great Sandy Desert, WA -
Warlayirti Artists, Balgo |
- Details at arttrust.com.au /artinfo/
Sold at Sotheby's, Melbourne |
| 63 |
Tjumpo Tjapananka |
L 1929- |
$34,800 |
"Wati Kutjarra" |
2007 |
2003 |
Balgo Hills, WA |
- Details at Menzies Art
Brands.com |
| 64 |
George Mung Mung |
L 1921-1991 |
$34,800 |
"Lankerrji - Death Adder Snake" |
2007 |
1987 |
Warmun, East Kimberley
Region, WA |
- Details at arttrust.com.au /artinfo/
Sold at Sotheby's, Melbourne |
| 65 |
Owen Yalandja |
L 1960- |
$34,800 |
"Yawk Yawk"
(wood carving) |
2010 |
2006 |
Maningrida, NT |
- Details at
Deutscher and Hackett |
| 66 |
Kitty Kantilla |
D 1928-2003 |
$33,600 |
"Kulama (Yam) Ceremony in Rain" |
2008 |
1999 |
Tiwi and Melville Islands, NT |
- Details at Menzies Art
Brands.com |
| 67 |
Boxer Milner Tjampitjin |
D 1934-2009 |
$33,600 |
"Sturt Creek" |
2009 |
1999 |
Warlayirti, WA |
- Details at
Deutscher and Hackett |
| 68 |
Barbara Weir |
L 1945- |
$31,300 |
"Grass Seed Dreaming" |
2005 |
2003 |
Utopia, NT |
- Details at
arttrust.com.au /artinfo/ Sold at Lawson-Menzies,
Sydney |
| 69 |
Rosella Namok |
L 1979- |
$31,070 |
"Rain Dreaming" |
2005 |
2000 |
Lockhart River, east Cape York, QLD |
- Details at
arttrust.com.au /artinfo/ Sold at Christies, Melbourne |
| 70 |
Tjurupara Watson |
L 1940- |
$31,070 |
"Pulpal" |
2007 |
2004 |
Irrunytju (Wingellina), WA (near
tri-state corner) |
- Details at
arttrust.com.au /artinfo/ Sold at Mossgreen
Auctions, Melbourne |
| 71 |
Ian W Abdulla |
L 1947- |
$30,550 |
"Putting Sprinklers on Tomatoes at
Night" |
2001 |
1991 |
Swan Reach, SA |
- Details at
arttrust.com.au /artinfo/ Sold at Christies, Sydney |
| 72 |
Wingu Tingima |
L 1930- |
$30,533 |
"Kangkuru Munu Malanypa" |
2008 |
2005 |
Irrunytju (Wingellina),
WA & Nyapari, SA (Tjungu Palya Art Centre) |
- Details at
arttrust.com.au /artinfo/ Sold at Mossgreen
Auctions, Melbourne |
| 73 |
Billy Joongarra Thomas |
L 1920- |
$30,000 |
"Kngaroo and Spear Dreaming" |
2007 |
2001 |
Great Sandy Desert, WA -
Warlayirti Artists, Balgo & Waringarri Art, Kununurra |
- Details at
arttrust.com.au /artinfo/ Sold at Sotheby's, Melbourne |
| 74 |
Thancoupie
(Thanakupi) |
L 1937- |
$29,700 |
"Pot" (ceramic) |
2006 |
1989 |
Napranum near Weipa,
Cape York, QLD |
- Details at
Shapiro Auctioneers .com.au |
| 75 |
Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi |
D 1928-1998 |
$29,400 |
Untitled(designs
associated with the rock-hole site of Wayuta) |
2006 |
1996 |
Papunya Tula (Kintore) |
- Details at
Shapiro Auctioneers .com.au |
| 76 |
Eunice Napangardi |
L late 1940s- |
$29,325 |
"Uparli
Dreaming (Bush Banana)" |
2000 |
1991 |
Papunya Tula |
Details at Jinta Art Website. |
| 77 |
Abie Loy Kemarre |
L 1972- |
$28,000 |
"Body Painting" |
2007 |
2007 |
Utopia |
- Details at
Shapiro Auctioneers .com.au |
| 78 |
Ada Bird Petyarre |
D 1930-2009 |
$27,600 |
"Atnangkere
(Awelye)" |
1999 |
1990 |
Utopia |
Details at Lawson's Online |
Top Aboriginal Artists
