Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi Artworks
Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi’s Record Sale: “Untitled (Tingari), 1990” and the Legacy of Pintupi Ceremonial Art
The highest recorded sale for a Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi painting was Untitled (Tingari), 1990, a significant work rooted in the powerful visual language of Western Desert Aboriginal art which sold for 105,000 AUD. From 1975 to 1990, senior Pintupi artists like Yala Yala developed and painted in a distinctive style to depict the epic journeys of the Tingari ancestors across the desert landscape. This painting, like others from the era, features a matrix of concentric circles—symbolizing sacred ceremonial sites—connected by lines that trace ancestral songlines. These minimal yet complex compositions reflect the deep cultural knowledge, ritual significance, and spiritual power associated with Tingari Dreaming. While the high price fetched by this particular work might be attributed to competitive bidding rather than cultural weight, some argue that other works—such as Old Man’s Yina Dreaming—carry deeper artistic and ceremonial importance. Still, the unpredictability of the Aboriginal art market often elevates works for reasons beyond their intrinsic cultural value.
I specialize in the private treaty sale of early and significant artworks by Yala Yala Gibbs. If you have an example that you wish to have appraised please feel free to send me images and dimensions.
Early Tingari Art and the Foundations of Yala Yala’s Aboriginal Iconography (1971–1974)
Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi emerged as a pivotal figure in the Papunya Tula art movement during its foundational years, beginning his practice in 1971. His groundbreaking piece, Dreaming Journey (1971), is among the earliest known visual depictions of the Tingari ancestors—ancestral beings central to Pintupi and Western Desert Aboriginal Dreaming stories. These sacred narratives, or Tjukurrpa, would later become a dominant motif in Aboriginal art post-1975. Yala Yala’s early works also subtly reference ceremonial objects such as churinga and traditional hair pieces, though these elements are deliberately abstracted and treated in a secular, culturally respectful manner.
Painted on composite board fragments, sometimes broken or makeshift, Yala Yala’s early boards employed traditional Aboriginal colours: red and yellow ochre, black from charcoal, and white pipe clay. He often favored white dotting on black backgrounds, overlayed with culturally significant iconography in earthy reds. Unlike contemporaries like Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula or Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri, who experimented with dynamic dot field techniques, Yala Yala maintained a restrained and meditative approach to dotting, creating a distinct visual language.
Classic Travelling Dreaming June 1971
Synthetic polymer powder paint on board,
34.7 x 28.6 cm
Hammer Price: A$16,200
Dreaming Journey 1971
Synthetic polymer paint on composition board,
30.5 x 30.5 cm
Hammer Price: A$20,000
Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi Artworks 1972
Old Men (1972)
Synthetic polymer powder paint on composition board, 50.5 x 34 cm
Hammer Price: A$36,000
Camp Site 1972
Synthetic polymer powder paint on composition board, inscribed verso: 19417, 79 x 32.5 cm
Hammer Price: A$28,000
Untitled 1972
Synthetic polymer powder paint on composition board, bears artist’s name ‘Yalla Yalla’ on the reverse,
58.5 x 56 cm
UNSOLD
Untitled 1972
Synthetic polymer paint on masonite,
64 x 46 cm
Hammer Price: A$18,000
Old Man’s (Yina) Dreaming (1972)
Synthetic polymer paint on composition board, 63.5 x 32.5 cm
Hammer Price: A$38,000
1973
Wind Story 1972/73
Synthetic polymer powder paint on composition board, 54 x 35 cm
Hammer Price: A$34,000
Expansion and Maturity: Tingari Dreaming on Canvas (1975 Onwards)
From 1975 onwards, Yala Yala’s artistic production flourished, as access to quality materials—first artist-grade boards and eventually Belgian linen—enabled him to create larger and more intricate pieces. His focus on Tingari Dreaming intensified, resulting in a prolific body of work that helped define the aesthetic of Pintupi Aboriginal art. These expansive Tingari paintings are characterized by an almost hypnotic repetition of traditional Aboriginal symbols and ceremonial pathways, rendered in finely detailed dot work that reflects spiritual cartographies of the Western Desert.
Works like the untitled 1998 painting stand as powerful examples of his mature style, where the restrained black-and-white palette creates a dramatic visual contrast and a textured, almost tactile surface. These later pieces exemplify the refined minimalism of Western Desert art while maintaining deep cultural resonance. Yala Yala’s contribution elevated the Tingari cycle as a central theme in Aboriginal painting .
Tingari Men at Mulli-Ukutu 1977
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas,
163.5 x 48.5 cm
Hammer Price: A$15,000
Untitled 1980
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, bears signed artist’s name and Papunya Tula Artists catalogue number YY800330 on stretcher on the reverse,
169 x 98.5 cm
Hammer Price: A$15,500
Tingari Men Running Towards Marapinta 1984
Synthetic polymer on canvas
Size not recorded
Hammer Price: A$19,000
Tingari Men at Patantja, 1988
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, inscribed verso: artist’s name,
183 x 121 cm
Hammer Price: A$15,000
Possum Dreaming at Wapintja, 1989
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, bears the artist’s name, dimensions and Papunya Tula Artists catalogue number YY890798 on reverse,
152 x 92 cm
Hammer Price: A$19,000
Tingari Site, Lake MacDonald, 1989
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, inscribed verso, artist’s name and Papunya Tula Artists cat. YY890143,
180.5 x 121.5 cm
Hammer Price: A$12,000
Untitled (1985)
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, with Papunya Tula Artists number YY850614 on the reverse,
121.5 x 91 cm
Hammer Price: A$10,000
Events Associated with Tingari Men Travelling at Wapintya (Wayuta-Possum Dreaming) 1986
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, bears Papunya Tula Artists catalogue number YY860390 on the reverse,
121 x 121 cm
Hammer Price: A$9,500
Tingari Men at Yirrirrinkinya
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, with Papunya Tula Artists number YY9609106 and Australian Gallery of Dreaming number 6032 on the reverse,
92 x 91.3 cm
Hammer Price: A$8,500
Untitled 1989
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, bears artist’s, size and Papunya Tula catalogue number yy890957 on the reverse, 150 x 120 cm
Hammer Price: A$8,500
Untitled (The Rockhole Site of Tupupingya) (1997)
Synthetic polymer paint on linen,
91 x 91 cm
Hammer Price: A$8,000
A Large Group of Tingari Men Gathered at the Site of Yinarkinya (South West of Lake Macdonald) 1988
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, bears Papunya Tula catalogue number YY880738 on the reverse,
182 x 151 cm
Hammer Price: A$8,000
Untitled 1984
Synthetic polymer paint on linen,
121 x 76 cm
UNSOLD
Tingari at Karrkurruntjintjana, 1984
Synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen,
122 x 122 cm
Hammer Price: A$7,500
Tingari Dreaming c. 1985
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, bears the letters YY on the reverse,
141 x 100 cm
Hammer Price: A$8,000
Tingari Myth Cycle at Yilililtu 1986
Acrylic on canvas, inscribed verso with cat. no. YY860694, accompanied by Papunya Tula Artists certificate of authenticity,
122 x 91 cm
Hammer Price: A$3,600
Kuningka (Western Quoll) Dreaming at Kaakaratintja (Lake Macdonald) 1987
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, bears Papunya Tula Artists catalogue number YY871166 on the reverse,
86.5 x 26.5 cm
Hammer Price: A$3,000
Designs Associated with the Kunungka Dreaming 1988
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas,
151 x 121 cm
Hammer Price: A$8,000
Designs Associated with the Tingari Ceremonies at the Site of Nyinarrkinya
Date not recorded but likely late 1980’s
Synthetic polymer on canvas, inscribed with Papunya Tula catalogue number on reverse,
183 x 107 cm
Hammer Price: A$6,000
Karrkurintinja
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, inscribed verso,
140.5 x 100 cm
Hammer Price: A$2,600
Untitled, 1991
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, inscribed verso: artist’s name, size and Papunya Tula Artists Pty Ltd catalogue number YY9105385,
132 x 58.5 cm
Hammer Price: A$3,200
Karrkurutinyja (Lake Macdonald) 1992
Synthetic polymer paint on canvasboard, inscribed verso with artist’s name, title and Papunya Tula cat. no. YY920548,
46 x 61 cm
Hammer Price: A$1,100
Tingari at Karrkurruntjintjana, 1994
Synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen,
136 x 91 cm
Hammer Price: A$6,000
Tingari, 1994
Synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen,
122 x 122 cm
Hammer Price: A$5,500
The Tingari at Kaakuratintja, 1995
Synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen,
153 x 77 cm
Hammer Price: A$3,800
Untitled – Rock Hole at the Site of Kultuyala 1995
Acrylic on linen, artist’s name inscribed verso, bears catalogue number YY950506,
46 x 38 cm
Hammer Price: A$2,500
Kanparrka (Centipede Dreaming) 1996
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, bears artists name size and Papunya Tula catalogue number YY961045 on the reverse,
90.5 x 45 cm
Hammer Price: A$4,500
Wapintjinna 1996
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, bears artist’s name, size and Papunya Tula Artists catalogue number YY960770 on the reverse,
90 x 46 cm
Hammer Price: A$6,000
Untitled (Designs Associated with the Rock-Hole Site of Wayuta), 1996
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, inscribed verso with artist’s name and cat.no. ‘YY960782’,
91 x 91 cm
Hammer Price: A$25,000
Tingari Cycle 1996
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, inscribed verso, ‘Yala Yala Gibbs Tjunarrayi/YY960353’,
150.5 x 60.5 cm
Hammer Price: A$4,200
Untitled (designs associated with the rockhole site of Tjuluntjulunga), 1997
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, inscribed verso: ‘Papunya Tula Artists Pty Ltd 61 x 31 cm / Palya Art 0384 Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi / YY971218’,
61 x 31 cm
Hammer Price: A$2,000
Senior Pintipi Mens Dreaming, 1997
Synthetic polymer paint on beligan linen,
153 x 61 cm
Hammer Price: A$8,000
Wirlpi 1997
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, bears artist’s name size and Papunya Tula Artists catalogue number YY970108 on the reverse,
122.5 x 121.5 cm
Hammer Price: A$12,000
Rockhole Site at Tarrparpa 1997
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, inscribed verso: Yala Yala Gibbs, Tjungurrayi/YY970497, 91.5 x 91.5 cm
Hammer Price: A$6,500
Tingari Painting, 1997
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, inscribed verso, artist’s name, size and Papunya Tula Artists cat. YY970664,
152 x 61 cm
Hammer Price: A$5,500
Wirrpi (Near Lake Macdonald) 1997
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, bears artists name size and Papunya Tula artists catalogue number YY970854 on the reverse,
153 x 122 cm
Hammer Price: A$20,000
Untitled 1997
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, inscribed verso: ‘Papunya Tula Artists Pty Ltd. (Designs associated with the rockhole site of Tjuntalpi), 1997 61 x 31 cm / YY971217 Palya Art 0383 / 0383 / Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi’,
61 x 31 cm
Hammer Price: A$2,000
Men’s Ceremony at Lampintja, 1998
Synthetic polymer paint on linen,
91 x 91 cm
Hammer Price: A$9,000
Patilpa (Small Green Parrot) Dreaming 1998
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, bears artists name size and Papunya Tula Artists catalogue number YY980334 on the reverse,
61 x 31 cm
Hammer Price: A$4,250
Snake Dreaming at Karrilwarra 1998
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, bears artist’s name size and Papunya Tula Artists catalogue number YY980945 on the reverse,
91 x 46 cm
Hammer Price: A$13,000
Lampintja, 1998
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, bears the artist’s name, dimensions and Papunya Tula Artists catalogue number YY980999 on reverse,
38 x 46 cm
Hammer Price: A$4,500
Tingari at Kulkultjana, 1998
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, 122 x 122 cm
Hammer Price: A$25,000
Snake Dreaming at Karrilwarra 1998
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, bears artist’s name, size and Papunya Tula Artists catalogue number YY980945 on the reverse, 91 x 46 cm
Hammer Price: A$32,000
Tingari Cycle 1998
Synthetic polymer paint on linen,
91 x 46 cm
Hammer Price: A$6,000
Untitled 1998
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, bears artists name size and Papunya Tula Artists catalogue number YY9809102 on the reverse, 90.5 x 91.5 cm
Hammer Price: A$28,000
Untitled, 1998
Synthetic polymer paint on linen, inscribed verso: artist’s name, size and Papunya Tula Artists cat. YY9807116 and Palya Art cat. 0337,
122 x 61 cm
Hammer Price: A$5,000
Untitled, 1998
Synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen,
107 x 28 cm
UNSOLD
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This site may contain copyrighted material the use of which was not specified by the copyright owner.
All images are the Copyright of the estate of Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi.
Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi references
Papunya: A place made after the Story
Selling at Auction
Selling artwork at auction can sometimes yield favorable results, particularly when multiple interested bidders compete, potentially driving up the final sale price. This environment can occasionally lead to inexperienced buyers bidding more than they originally intended, which can benefit the seller in competitive situations.
In the niche market of Aboriginal art however this is the exception with mosy potential bidders being knowledgable and well researched
Downside to Selling at Auction
Auctions come with inherent limitations. One significant drawback is that they do not achieve the full market potential of an artwork. For instance, if the most motivated buyer values a piece at $10,000 but is aware of a 30% buyer’s premium, they may only be willing to place a maximum bid of $7,000. Meanwhile, the second most motivated buyer who values the work at $6,000 may only bid up to $4,200. As a result, bidding would likely stop at $4,200, and the winning bid might be only one bid higher, say $4,300. After deducting seller’s fees (10%-29%), the final amount received by the seller will be less than $3,900—far below the artwork’s perceived value.
Another risk associated with auctions is limited reach. Potential buyers who may have been willing to pay significantly more might simply not be aware of the auction, not have the money at the time or unable to participate at the scheduled time. This can result in missed opportunities and lower-than-expected sale outcomes.
This dynamic explains why many art dealers are able to purchase artworks at auction and resell them privately at a profit. Their ability to match artworks with motivated collectors, often through targeted private outreach, allows them to capitalize on the limitations of the auction model.
Private Treaty Sales
An alternative to auction is selling through private treaty. This method involves engaging a dealer to offer the artwork directly to known collectors who collect or have a strong interest in a particular artist or genre. The sale is conducted at price agreed buy the dealer and seller, allowing for a more targeted and lucrative transaction.
One key advantage of private treaty sales is flexibility. If the dealer is unable to secure a buyer through private channels, the artwork can still be offered at auction later. This approach often ensures better control over the sales process and often result in a more favorable outcome for the seller, especially when maximizing value is the priority.
I specialise in private treaty sales and if you have a Kaapa Mbitjana artwork and you would like to know what I think it could be sold for, please send me an image dimensions and provenance.