Lot 60

Lots 60-90 THE ESTATE OF THE LATE JIM MANN (1948-2011)

James (Jim) Frederick Mann lived a rich and varied life, a fact which is reflected in this diverse and colourful collection of Indigenous art.

Jim grew up on Goronga, the family property in Pakenham Upper in Victoria, which has been held by the Mann family for five generations. His childhood was spent working the farm with his father, amongst magnificent trees which had been planted by Jim's grandfather, Sir Frederick Mann, a former chief justice and lieutenant governor of Victoria.

In the 1970s, Jim took the unlikely step of joining the company which toured the blockbuster musical Hair across Australia and New Zealand. It was here that he met the iconic performer Reg Livermore, eventually becoming part of his production team and helping to create the one-man extravaganzas, Betty Blockbuster and Son of Betty.

It was during this period that Jim made his first trip to Mornington Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria. At a time when others were more interested in going off to Bali, Jim was drawn to learning more about Australia and its original inhabitants.

In 1978, Jim joined the NAISDA (National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association) as Technical Director and Cultural Liaison. This was the starting point for Jim's extensive travels to remote communities, which took him to Mornington Island, Yirrkala, Maningrida, The Kimberley, Turkey Creek and the Central Desert where he walked, talked, hunted and attended ceremonies.

Jim didn't have to go to great lengths to collect art works. His talent for observation and rare ability to listen allowed him to quietly befriend the artists, sitting with them, sharing cups of Billy Tea and listening to the songs which they sung whilst painting or visiting a particular waterhole or rock formation.

The works which Jim collected during his travels were supplemented by the paintings he purchased on his frequent visits to Sydney galleries. No matter what the source, each piece inspired a story about the artist or a humorous anecdote about how Jim had come to acquire a work. This unique collection is a testament to both Jim's storytelling ability and his capacity for friendship.

Accompanied by certificate of authenticity from Red Rock Art, WA