Laverty art collection a true auction treasure

Deutscher and Hackett will auction part III of the Laverty Collection from 7pm Wednesday April 5 at the Cell Block Theatre, National Art School, Forbes Street, Darlinghurst in Sydney.

Passionate art collectors for many years, Colin and Liz Laverty’s collecting lives were turned upside down in 1988 when they attended the World Expo in Brisbane.

It was there they were captivated by a large group of Aboriginal Papunya Tula paintings on display.

Back in Sydney, they set about gaining as much knowledge as possible about Aboriginal art through books and catalogues.

Through Christopher Hodges and Helen Eager of Utopia Art Sydney, the couple improved their understanding of Aboriginal art and in 1991 made their first visit to Alice Springs where they met Papunya Tula artists from the Araluen Centre and Gallery Gondwana.

Over the years, through trips to many remote communities such as Fitzroy Crossing, Balgo, Maningrida, Kununurra and Bidyadanga, the Lavertys have met and befriended such artists as Paddy Bedford, Rover Thomas, Butcher Cherel, Eubena Nampitjin, John Marwurndjul, Daniel Walbidi and Alma Webou.

The Aboriginal paintings in this auction are a product of these trips and the influence they had on their lives.

According to Liz Laverty, the enduring legacy of their collecting efforts has been the friendships they forged with artists, curators and galleries.

“The adventures we shared, the places we visited, the insights we were granted into indigenous culture together with the generosity and friendship of the people we met has been breathtaking,” she says in her catalogue reflection.

Among the more valuable auction paintings are Rover Thomas’s Djugamerri and Bolgumerri 1991 and Paddy Bedford’s Mad Gap 2005.

Other works bound to interest auction goers are Emily Kame Kngwarreye’s Untitled (Dried Flowers and Fruit) 1990, Daniel Walbidi’s Kirriwirri 2007, John Marwurndjul’s Mandayin Design 2004 and Eubena Nampitjin’s Canning Stock Route 1998.

 Viewing at 55 Oxford Street Surry Hills, Sydney.