Born circa 1935 in Australia’s central western desert, Yannima Tommy Watson did not begin painting until 2001. Associated with the Colour Power movement that developed within the Indigenous art scene, Watson was known for his use of strong vibrant colours to symbolise the ancestral stories of his country. Watson himself stated that his art is an exploration of traditional Aboriginal culture, in which the land and spirituality are intertwined and communicated through stories passed on from generation to generation.
Receiving critical acclaim, both across Australia and internationally, art critics have drawn parallels between Watson and Western Abstract painters such as Kandinsky, Mondrian and Rothko. Watson’s works feature in public and private collections worldwide.
Collections
Art Gallery of New South Wales
National Gallery of Australia
National Gallery of Victoria
Musée du Quai Branly, Paris
Art Gallery of Western Australia
South Australian Art Gallery
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory