Spotlight: Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri — A Titan of Australian Aboriginal Art
Few names in Aboriginal art resonate with as much power, influence, and recognition as Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri. A foundational figure of the Western Desert art movement, his contributions not only shaped contemporary Indigenous painting but also propelled it onto the international stage.
In this inaugural edition of our Artist Spotlight series, we honour Clifford Possum’s life, legacy, and ongoing market significance — offering insights for collectors, institutions, and admirers of Aboriginal art alike.
Early Life and Cultural Background
Born around 1932 near Napperby Station, northwest of Alice Springs, Clifford Possum was a member of the Anmatyerre language group. He grew up immersed in traditional culture, songlines, and the iconography of his ancestral lands — knowledge that would later infuse every surface of his canvases.
Originally a stockman and woodcarver, Possum's shift to painting in the 1970s coincided with the emergence of the Papunya Tula movement, led by Aboriginal men who began translating sacred ceremonial imagery onto boards and later canvas using acrylic paints.
Though not a founding member of Papunya Tula Artists Pty Ltd, Clifford Possum was closely aligned with the movement and became one of its most recognisable figures — both artistically and publicly.
Artistic Style and Innovations
Clifford Possum’s work is instantly identifiable: layered with Dreaming tracks, radiating dot patterns, and a sense of cosmic structure. He often combined multiple narratives within a single composition, a radical innovation at the time, creating large-scale visual maps of ancestral journeys.
His paintings are richly symbolic but also boldly abstract — merging traditional motifs with the dynamism of modernist visual language. This made his work particularly compelling to collectors and institutions seeking both cultural depth and aesthetic sophistication.
Career Highlights and Institutional Recognition
Clifford Possum’s career spanned over three decades and was marked by critical acclaim and major institutional acquisitions.
National and International Exhibitions: His works featured in key exhibitions in Australia, Europe, and North America, helping position Aboriginal art within the global contemporary art discourse.
Collections: Major holdings of his work are found in the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and significant international private collections.
Recognition: In 2002, Clifford Possum was posthumously appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for service to art and the promotion of Indigenous culture.
Market Significance and Auction Records
Clifford Possum holds a pivotal place in the secondary market for Aboriginal art. His paintings are among the most sought-after by serious collectors, with several achieving six-figure sums at auction.
A landmark moment came in 2007, when his masterpiece Warlugulong (1977) sold at auction for $2.4 million AUD, setting a new benchmark for Aboriginal art at the time.
Today, artworks by Clifford Possum:
Regularly feature in tier-one auction catalogues
Hold strong provenance across institutional and private collections
Are increasingly scarce, with collectors holding onto major works long-term
For collectors seeking both cultural gravitas and long-term investment potential, his work remains a cornerstone.
Where to Find Clifford Possum’s Work
At Newstead Art, we specialise in sourcing, valuing, and placing important Aboriginal artworks — including major pieces by Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri.
Our private treaty sales platform offers discreet access to high-quality works by leading artists.
If you own a Clifford Possum painting and are considering a valuation or sale, our team can assist with expert assessments, provenance research, and sales strategy.
Legacy and Influence
Clifford Possum’s artistic legacy extends beyond auction results and gallery walls. He helped elevate Aboriginal art from “cultural product” to contemporary fine art, and his influence can still be seen in the work of many artists today — including his daughter, Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi, a celebrated painter in her own right.
His paintings are visual testaments to ancient knowledge systems — stories of land, spirit, and ceremony — rendered in a language that continues to captivate both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences.
Discover More in the Artist Spotlight Series
This post is part of an ongoing series celebrating the artists who have defined, and continue to shape, the world of Aboriginal art.
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