Lot 34

Private collection, Melbourne
Thence by descent

This work was created in 1974 during a period when Lin Onus was establishing his practice. Onus produced this painting taking inspiration from a photo in a book, using it as part of his application for a modest grant from the Aboriginal Arts Board to acquire art materials. However, in the presentation of his work to the board, he learned that the image he depicted was from a sacred site in the central desert, something Onus was unaware of because the source was a publicly available photograph.
Despite receiving the grant for materials, Onus found himself in a dilemma regarding the fate of the painting. He eventually gifted the work to the owner of Kangaroo Gifts, who he was working for at the time, to be preserved in their personal collection. During those financially challenging days, Lin and Jo relied on the sale of artworks for their livelihood. This painting carries a compelling narrative that sheds light on the artist's early career and complexities he faced as an emerging Indigenous artist.