Gum Creek

Warmun artists from Turkey Creek in the East Kimberley region (Western Australia) have had an enviable reputation within Australia and internationally, thanks to some of the pre-eminent figures in modern Aboriginal art, such as Rover Thomas. They are renowned for the use of natural ochres, typically forming expanses of plain paint in dark earth colours, separated by lines of white dots. Freddie Timms is one of the founding figures of the Warum. Although some of his paintings incorporate figures and historical events, many works such as this print are like aerial maps of the country in which he has lived and worked for his entire life, for periods as a stockman on the cattle stations which were established in the region over the mid-20th century. His works are stark, compelling and evocative, and the strength of his painting has been effectively transferred to the print medium. This acquisition was presented by the Art Fund and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation