In memory of Bill Whiskey (1920-2008)

The first time I saw his work (In the window of Japingka gallery in Fremantle) I crossed a busy street with an infant in a stroller to get a better look. And I wasn't disappointed..

Its difficult to believe he only started painting at the age of 85.

All of his paintings represent the rockholes and country around Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and tell the dreaming story of a white cockatoo who fought with a black crow. The white dots are supposed to represent the cockatoo's feathers, the roundels are the local waterholes or the marks made on the landscape during the fight. Linear designs on the painting are tracks or dry creekbeds.

Aside from that, important as it is, this is just brilliant art.

Menzies, Australian & International Fine Art, auction preview

Just took a look at the Melbourne viewing for this auction which occurs on march 25th 2010. I LOVE auction viewings- all that great art, some never seen before and never to be seen again, all for FREE (that is unless one accidentally buys something) and this was one of the best I have seen.

The picture getting all the publicity was Sydney Nolan's First-Class Marksman 1946, estimated at 3-5 million dollars. My 4 year old son loves Sydney Nolan and is saving hard.

I was more impressed I must admit by some of the other work. Have never been all that interested in John Perceval but the two major pictures on display are brilliant, reminding me of French impressionist masterpieces. In addition there are 5 Jeffrey Smart paintings, a superb Lin Onus which I would buy in a heartbeat if remotely able, and two big canvases by Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri and Tommy Watson.

General amusement was provided by Hazel Dooney's Ever-Ready (Fresh Out of Bed) 1998, and a John Kelly painting of an overall-wearing person rummaging inside a half zebra.

Highly recommended..