Lot 14

The work is in overall good condition consistent with age. All markings and textures appear inherent with artist's style, technique and medium and are likely from the time of creation.


The opinions expressed in the condition reports are a guide only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek further information or request additional images during our pre-sale period where Leonard Joel staff are available for advice. Please note condition reports can be amended during the pre-sale period, so we strongly suggest any interested bidders check the published condition report available on the website before the auction commences. Leonard Joel makes no guarantee of the originality of mechanical or applied components. Absence of reference to such modifications does not imply that a lot is free from modifications.

Irrunytju Arts Centre, Irrunytju (Wingellina), Western Australia (accompanied by the certificate of authenticity)
Private collection, Adelaide

"One old lady she had a husband, but he was crippled, no two legs. She used to carry him everywhere, around with a big wira (wooden bowl). That man was called Karrapalma and his wife was called Alkawari. There was a young boy who would go hunting, but Alkawari wouldn't share her fire with him to cook his kangaroo. That minyma (woman) was hiding the fire. The boy hid under a bush and waited for that wife to go out hunting. When she was gone the boy took the fire and burn't the wiltja (house) and that man was inside. When alkawari looked back she saw the wiltja burning, but she couldn't get back quick enough. She was crying and screaming. She carried her husbands body to a rockhole as the country was too hard for her to dig a hole to bury him. Many families came. The woman made smoke and went to kill the boy, but that boy got a long stick like a ladder and went up high. The women tried to climb up the ladder, but the boy was moving that stick. One by one the women fell off and died. Ngaltutjara (the poor things). That boy didn't get killed."

As stated on the Irrunytju Arts certificate of authenticity

© Jean Burke/Copyright Agency, 2026