ADELAIDE FESTIVAL ART AUCTION

Incorporating the T G H Strehlow Collection

Theo Strehlow, only son to the renowned German missionary Pastor Carl Strehlow, the grand old man of the Hermannsburg Mission Station, retuned to Hermannsburg in central Australia in 1953, recording the myths, legends and tribal life of the Arunta people, amassing such a vast quantity of written notes, tape recordings and film together with a vast collection of ethnographic material gathered from the desert regions and now on display in Alice Springs, Northern Territory.

The art collected by T G H Strehlow, including photographs of ceremony, oil paintings by John A. Gardner depicting Aranda ceremony as well as important Hermannsburg watercolours now comes forward for sale by public auction through Theodore Bruce Auctions Pty Ltd – Adelaide.

T G H Strehlow was born at Hermannsburg, central Australia, and was educated at Immanuel College and the University of Adelaide. After four years army service he was appointed research fellow in Australian linguistics and a lecturer in English literature at the University of Adelaide.

The important collection includes watercolours by Rex Battarbee as well as paintings by Albert Namatjira, Battarbee’s most famous pupil. A magnificent and most significant full board painting by Otto Pareroultja (estimate $7,000 – 10,000) is a highlight of the auction whilst watercolours by Walter Ebatarinja, Ewald Namatjira, Edwin Pareroultja, Herbert Raberaba complete the offering of 95 works in that part of the auction.

The balance of the auction secured from various South Australian collectors and connoisseurs include important Australian and International paintings and works on paper including three oil paintings by Bessie Davidson, a collection of 19 paintings and works on paper by Ivor Hele, a large oil on canvas by Tom Gleghorn, paintings and works on paper by Franz Kempf, screen prints by Dora Chapman, oils by James Cant, a mixed media work by Del Kathryn Barton and an important oil painting by D’Arcy W. Doyle (estimate $7,000 – 10,000).

Traditional 19^th Century British and Continental paintings to suit grand mansions of yesteryear or the comfy interior of a gentleman’s study complete the offering of 251 works which are now on view at Theodore Bruce Auctions, Adelaide

The auction is to be held Sunday 14^th March, commencing 2pm at 444-446 Pulteney Street, Adelaide, SA 5000.

 Enquiries:

James Bruce

(08) 8232 2860.