Yannima Tommy Watson
Born: c.1935 Anamaraptji, west of Irrunytju, WA
Language group: Pitjantjatjara
Tommy Watson has come to prominence in the Australian art market in last five years and is regarded by many as the greatest living Australian Indigenous artist. Tommy was raised in a traditional lifestyle before contact with western culture. In his experiences at Papunya in the 1970s, he witnessed the first significant painters of the Aboriginal art movement produce works rich in iconography and traditional stories.
Tommy's own paintings do not present the same imagery which he feels is 'sacred', rather, he chooses a form of abstraction which has been likened to the works of great modernist artists such as Kandinsky, Matisse and Rothko. His use of colour is paramount in relating the feeling of his country and Tommy often sings as he paints the stories; the result being works of great vibrancy and immense visual power.
Tommy has only produced limited numbers of large scale paintings which are keenly sought. This controlled output combined with his extraordinary ability has seen near stratospheric prices achieved for his works in such a short time span.
A finalist of the Telstra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards in 2002, 2003 & 2008 and held in all major public collections in Australia, plus a permanent presence at the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris, Tommy Watson's name is mentioned in the same breath as the iconic artists of the Indigenous movement ‐ Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, Emily Kame Kngwarreye and Rover Thomas.