Charli Tjaruru Tjungurrayi Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Charli Tjaruru Tjungurrayi Art Value Price Guide

Nov. 18, 2025
CHARLIE TARAWA TJUNGURRAYI, c.1921 - 1999, Tjitutulnga, 1984, acrylic on linen, 121 x 76 cm, inscribed verso: Papunya Tula Artists cataloguing details, PROVENANCE, Papunya Tula Artists, NT Cat No. CT840825, Private co...
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
CHARLIE TARAWA TJUNGURRAYI c.1921 - 1999 Tjitutulnga, 1984 acrylic on linen 121 x 76 cm inscribed verso: Papunya Tula Artists cataloguing details PROVENANCE Papunya Tula Artists, NT Cat No. CT840825 Private collection, Vic Joel Fine Art, Important Aboriginal Art, Melbourne,Vic, 05/06/2007, Lot No. 145 Private collection, Vic accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Papunya Tula Artists Charlie Tarawa (Tararu) was a founding member of Papunya Tula Artists and an influential early figure in the Western Desert art movement. A natural leader and gifted communicator, he became a key spokesman for the Pintupi. His strong command of English allowing him to explain and negotiate across cultural boundaries. While some non-Indigenous people in the Papunya settlement found him challenging, Geoffrey Bardon described him as loyal and accessible, qualities that made him invaluable during the fragile early years of the painting movement. Tawara was also the eldest of a large group of Tjungurrayi "brothers" who would go on to become major Papunya painters, including Kingsley, Shorty Lungkata, Yala Yala, Don, George, Willy, Two Bob and Yumpululu. His leadership within this group helped lay the foundations for Pintupi painting as it came to national prominence. This painting depicts Tjitutulnga, a site to the west of Kintore connected with the ninu (bilby) Dreaming. The accompanying certificate from Papunya Tula Artists states: "The site depicted in this painting is tjitutulnga to the west of the Kintore community. This place is associated with the ninu (a small marsupial) Dreaming. There is a man and his two wives living at this site. The circles represent places in the hills where the ninu enter." By painting this narrative, Tawara renders the landscape not simply as physical terrain but as a field of ancestral presence. The composition records the movement of the small marsupial across Country, while also embedding the ceremonial and familial associations tied to this place. @ CHARLIE TAWARA TJUNGURRAYI / Copyright Agency, 2025
Art Leven (formerly Cooee Art)
Nov. 16, 2025
Charlie Tararu Tjungurrayi, Australian 1919 - 1999, Bandicoot Dreaming at Tjiturulnga, 1988, Synthetic polymer paint on linen, 187 x 96 cm
Est: $8,000 - $10,000
Charlie Tararu Tjungurrayi Australian, 1919 - 1999 Bandicoot Dreaming at Tjiturulnga, 1988 Synthetic polymer paint on linen
Artvisory
Jul. 24, 2025
CHARLIE TARARU TJUNGURRAYI (c.1925-1999) (Language group: Pintupi) (Two Snakes at Lampintjanya) screenprint, ed. 16/40 76.5 x 56.5cm...
Est: $200 - $400
CHARLIE TARARU TJUNGURRAYI (c.1925-1999) (Language group: Pintupi) (Two Snakes at Lampintjanya) screenprint, ed. 16/40 artist's monogram and thumbprint lower right editioned lower left 76.5 x 56.5cm (sheet), unframed PROVENANCE: The Collection of Ben Danks, Adelaide
Leonard Joel
Jul. 24, 2025
CHARLIE TARARU TJUNGURRAYI (c.1925-1999) (Language group: Pintupi) (Bandicoot Ancestors Fighting over Fire at Taltaltanya) screenpri...
Est: $200 - $400
CHARLIE TARARU TJUNGURRAYI (c.1925-1999) (Language group: Pintupi) (Bandicoot Ancestors Fighting over Fire at Taltaltanya) screenprint, ed. 16/90 artist's monogram and thumbprint lower right editioned lower left 76.5 x 56.5cm (sheet), unframed PROVENANCE: The Collection of Ben Danks, Adelaide
Leonard Joel
Apr. 16, 2025
Charlie Tararu Tjungurrayi & Willie Tjungurrayi , (1921-1999, 1932-2018), Bandicoot Ancestors Fighting Over Fire At Taltaltanya, 1981, colour screenprint on paper, 76 x 56.5 cm
Est: $400 - $600
Charlie Tararu Tjungurrayi & Willie Tjungurrayi (1921-1999, 1932-2018) Bandicoot Ancestors Fighting Over Fire At Taltaltanya, 1981 colour screenprint on paper edition: 20/90, numbered l.l.c. '20/90', signed l.r.c. on printed image in white ink with fingerprint and red chalk 'X'
Shapiro Auctioneers
Jan. 28, 2024
Aboriginal Painted Coolamon circa 1960's with probable attribution to Charlie (Tjaruru) Tjungurrayi (1925 - 99)
Est: $6,000 - $7,500
Tjungurraayi is an important artist who is represented in the National Museum of Australia Collection
Smalls Auctions
Oct. 11, 2022
Charlie Taruwa Tjungurrayi - Tjitutulnga, 1984
Est: $6,000 - $10,000
Charlie Tawara (Tararu) was a founding member of Papunya Tula and became an important spokesman for the Pintupi due to his strong command of English. He was noted as having been an adventurous and energetic man, and despite a number of white people in the settlement characterising him as difficult, Bardon found him to be accessible and loyal. His versatility with language and European customs enabled him to guide and explain, on both sides of the cultural divide. He was the eldest of the many Tjungurrayi skin ‘brothers’ that included Kingsley, Shorty Lungkata, and Yala Yala as well as Don, George, Willy, Two Bob, and Yumpululu who would follow these artists into painting. This painting is sold with an accompanying certificate from Papunya Tula Artists that reads 'the site depicted in this painting is tjitutulnga to the West of the Kintore community. This place is associated with the ninu (a small marsupial) Dreaming. There is a man and his two wives living at this site. The circles represent places in the hills where the ninu enter.'
Cooee Art
Apr. 11, 2022
CHARLIE TAWARA TJUNGURRAYI (c.1925-1999) Bandicoot Dreaming at Tjiturrunga 1985 synthetic polymer paint on linen
Est: $7,000 - $10,000
CHARLIE TAWARA TJUNGURRAYI (c.1925-1999) Bandicoot Dreaming at Tjiturrunga 1985 synthetic polymer paint on linen inscribed verso with artist's name, title, Papunya Tula Artists cat. no. CT851242, and Avant Galleries cat. no. 9 92 x 122cm PROVENANCE: Papunya Tula Artists, Alice Springs Avant Galleries, Melbourne The Collection of Mr. Kelton, United States of America, acquired 1994
Leonard Joel
Apr. 11, 2022
CHARLIE TAWARA TJUNGURRAYI (c.1925-1999) Frog Dreaming 1979 synthetic polymer paint on masonite
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
CHARLIE TAWARA TJUNGURRAYI (c.1925-1999) Frog Dreaming 1979 synthetic polymer paint on masonite inscribed on backing verso: Geoff Bardon 55 x 48cm PROVENANCE: Geoffrey Bardon, Northern Territory Andrew Crocker, Manager of Papunya Tula Artists, Alice Springs The Collection of Mr. Kelton, United States of America, acquired 1981 EXHIBITIONS: Abstract Reality: Australian Dreamtime Art, Modern Museum of Art, Santa Ana, California, 17 January – 16 April 1989
Leonard Joel
Mar. 08, 2022
Charlie Taruwa Tjungurrayi - Cave Dreaming, 1972
Est: $60,000 - $80,000
122 x 62 cm, 133 x 74 cm (framed) Charlie Tawara (Tararu) was a founding member of Papunya Tula and became an important spokesman for the Pintupi due to his strong command of English. He was noted as having been an adventurous and energetic man, and despite a number of white people in the settlement characterising him as difficult, Bardon found him to be accessible and loyal. His versatility with language and European customs enabled him to guide and explain, on both sides of the cultural divide. He was the eldest of the many Tjungurrayi skin âbrothersâ that included Kingsley, Shorty Lungkata, and Yala Yala as well as Don, George, Willy, Two Bob, and Yumpululu who would follow these artists into painting. The vitality of his brushwork imparted a âvigourous presenceâ to his paintings. In early works such as this, he depicted sacred elements and objects which, due to controversy at the time, were later eliminated from Pintupi men's paintings in favour of more secular and decorative iconography.
Cooee Art
Aug. 31, 2021
CHARLIE WARTUMA (TARAWA) TJUNGURRAYI, UNTITLED, 1975
Est: $8,000 - $12,000
CHARLIE WARTUMA (TARAWA) TJUNGURRAYI (c.1921 - 1999) UNTITLED, 1975 synthetic polymer paint on canvas board 76.5 x 61.0 cm bears inscription verso: Papunya Tula Artists cat. CT75638 PROVENANCE Papunya Tula Artists, Alice Springs Private collection Lawson-Menzies, Sydney, 31 May 2005, lot 230 Private collection, Adelaide Sotheby's, Melbourne, 7 June 2011, lot 158 Grant Smith collection, Melbourne This work is located at our Melbourne gallery © Charlie Wartuma (Tarawa) Tjungurrayi/Copyright Agency 2021
Deutscher and Hackett
Aug. 31, 2021
CHARLIE TARARU TJUNGURRAYI (c.1925-1999) Untitled 1984 synthetic polymer paint on canvas
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
CHARLIE TARARU TJUNGURRAYI (c.1925-1999) Untitled 1984 synthetic polymer paint on canvas inscribed verso with artist's name and Papunya Tula Artists cat. no. CT840825 121 x 76cm PROVENANCE: Papunya Tula Artists, Alice Springs (accompanied by a copy of the certificate of authenticity) Joel Fine Art, Melbourne, 5 June 2007, lot 145 Private collection, Melbourne
Leonard Joel
Mar. 18, 2020
CHARLIE WARTUMA (TARAWA) TJUNGURRAYI, (c.1921 – 1999), TINGARI AT NYIRRIPI, 1990, synthetic polymer paint on board
Est: $20,000 - $30,000
CHARLIE WARTUMA (TARAWA) TJUNGURRAYI (c.1921 – 1999) TINGARI AT NYIRRIPI, 1990 synthetic polymer paint on board DIMENSIONS: 153.0 x 34.5 cm PROVENANCE: Papunya Tula Artists, Alice Springs, Northern Territory Private collection, Melbourne EXHIBITED: Aboriginal Art & Spirituality, The High Court of Australia, Canberra, 27 February – 14 March 1991; The Exhibition Gallery, The Waverley Centre, Wheelers Hill, Melbourne, 24 March – 5 May 1991; The Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, Ballarat, Victoria, 24 May – July 1991 (stamped verso) LITERATURE: Crumlin, R. and Knight, A., Aboriginal Art and Spirituality, Dove Publications, Victoria, 1991, pl. 49, pp. 83 (illus.), 140 This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Papunya Tula Artists, Alice Springs which states: ‘In a fascinating traditional design of concentric circles almost haptic in concept, the artist has depicted the Tingari Cycle associated with the travels of the Tingari ancestors west of Nyirripi. The roundels represent water soakages where the Tingari stopped to rest and drink during their long journey.’ ESSAY: Charlie Wartuma (or Tarawa or Tararu) Tjungurrayi was one of the leading lights in the genesis of the modern Western Desert painting movement that originated at Papunya in the early 1970s. Although painted in 1990, the format of Tingari at Nyirripi and the composition board support, hark back to the so-called ‘panel paintings’ made in the early 1970s on oblong sheets of board, usually off-cuts from the very building materials from which Papunya was constructed. The work relates to such paintings of similar proportions as Medicine Man or Man Dreaming, 1971, in the collection of the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin, which also refers to the travels of the apical Tingari ancestors in the vicinity of Nyirripi.1 In the latter work, the sequence of the stack of roundels forms a type of headdress for a figure depicted naturalistically. By way of contrast, Tingari at Nyirripi retains a sense of ancestral geometry devoid of any naturalistic imagery. 1. Illustrated in Scholes, L. (ed.), Tjungunutja: From having come together, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin, 2017, p. 30; and in Croker, A., Charlie Tjararu Tjungurrayi: A Retrospective 1970–1986, Orange Regional Gallery, Orange, New South Wales, 1987, p. 53
Deutscher and Hackett
Dec. 07, 2017
Charlie Tjungurrayi (c. 1930 - 2009) Snake and Waterhole, 1989
Est: €1,800 - €2,000
Charlie Tjungurrayi (c. 1930 - 2009) Snake and Waterhole, 1989 Acrylique sur toile - 137 x 134,5 cm Pintupi - Désert Occidental Charlie est né entre 1928 et la fin des années 1930 dans une zone très isolée du bush. Il est le frère d’ « Helicopter » Tjungurrayi et le cousin de Patrick et Brandy Tjungurrayi, tous trois des artistes très importants. Etant jeune il a parcouru de larges étendues et a passé du temps autour de Kiwirrkurra où il a vécu ensuite. Sa première rencontre avec le monde occidental est l’observation d’une vache (un animal rapporté d’Europe, qui n’existait pas en Australie avant l’arrivée des hommes blancs). Après le fameux événement de l’évacuation de son cousin malade (d’où son surnom Helicopter), la famille parcourt la Canning Stock Route avant de s’installer à la mission de Balgo. C’est là qu’il grandit. Il quitte Balgo après son mariage avec Josephine Nangala pour rejoindre Kintore. Il repartira un moment de Balgo avant de rejoindre Kiuwirrkurra lors de l’installation de la communauté dans le milieu des années 1980, pour être plus proche de « son » Pays. A l’époque il n’y a que 9 bâtiments à Kiwirrkurra ! Il commence à peindre en 1987. Il est connu comme étant un guérisseur traditionnel et sa réputation en tant que tel s’étend sur de vestes territoires. Il s’inspire souvent de l’histoire d’un Serpent Venimeux qui vit à Nyinmi, un point d’eau. Il venait du lac MacKay (Wilkinkarra). Avant d’arriver à Nyinmi, le Serpent rencontra une Femme et ses deux Fils. Une lutte opposa la Femme au Serpent qui pour échapper à la mort plongea dans le sol. Le reste de l’histoire est trop secret pour que d’autres éléments soient livrés. Ces événements sont associés aux Cycles Tingari. Collections : HaC…
Millon Riviera
Nov. 10, 2015
Charlie Tawara Tjungurrayi (c. 1921-1999)
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Charlie Tawara Tjungurrayi (c. 1921-1999) Untitled (Hills at Walungurru), 1986 synthetic polymer paint on canvas, Papunya Tula Artists cat no. CT 860340 with certificate of authenticity from Papunya Tula Artists
Shapiro Auctioneers
Nov. 29, 2014
Charlie Tjungurrayi (c. 1920 - 1999) Snake and Waterhole, 1989
Est: €2,000 - €2,500
Charlie Tjungurrayi (c. 1920 - 1999) Snake and Waterhole, 1989 Acrylique sur toile - 137 x 134,5 cm Pintupi - Désert Occidental
Millon & Associes
Sep. 21, 2014
Attributed to Charlie Tararu Tjungurrayi 1921-1999
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Attributed to Charlie Tararu Tjungurrayi 1921-1999 "Lizard hunting at Walungurra" painted with natural dye pigments on canvas, 122cm x 93cm Provenance by Papunya Tula Artists, Alice Springs Cat. Number CT 860340, signed and dated Annette Boyes 1986. In most State collections, a retrospective of his work was opened at the Orange Regional Gallery and toured in 1988.
Ravenswick
May. 28, 2013
Charlie Wartuma (Tarawa) Tjungurrayi circa 1921-1999 CEREMONIAL DREAMING (1972) synthetic polymer paint on composition board
Est: $60,000 - $80,000
Charlie Wartuma (Tarawa) Tjungurrayi circa 1921-1999 CEREMONIAL DREAMING (1972) synthetic polymer paint on composition board 61 X 45.7CM PROVENANCE Painted at Papunya, Northern Territory Stuart Art Centre, Alice Springs (stock 19075) The Anne Chase Collection, United States of America EXHIBITED Tjukurrtjanu: Origins of Western Desert Art The Ian Potter Centre: NGV at Federation Square, 30 September 2011 - 12 February 2012; Musée du quai Branly, Paris, 9 October 2012 - 20 January 2013 LITERATURE Geoffrey Bardon and James Bardon, Papunya, A Place Made After the Story: The Beginnings of the Western Desert Painting Movement, The Miegunyah Press, Melbourne, 2004, p.409, painting 369 Judith Ryan and Philip Batty, Tjukurrtjanu: Origins of Western Desert Art, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, 2011, p. 218 (illustrated) Judith Ryan and Philip Batty, Aux Sources de la Peinture: Aborigène, Musée du quai Branly, Paris, 2012
Smith & Singer
Nov. 19, 2012
Charlie Tarawa Tjungurrayi (born circa 1920-1999)
Est: £50,000 - £80,000
Wild Potato Dreaming bears artist's name and Stuart Art Centre catalogue number 9027 on the reverse synthetic polymer paint on composition board 91 x 71cm
Bonhams
Nov. 19, 2012
Charlie Tarawa Tjungurrayi (born circa 1920-1999)
Est: £15,000 - £20,000
Mitukatjirri bears artist's name, medium, date and collection details on a label on the reverse synthetic polymer paint on composition board 122 x 90cm
Bonhams
Nov. 13, 2012
CHARLIE TJARURU TJUNGURRAYI, attribué à (c.1920 -
Est: CHF2,000 - CHF3,000
CHARLIE TJARURU TJUNGURRAYI, attribué à (c.1920 - 1999) Sans titre. c. 1973 Acrylique sur panneau de bois. CHARLIE TJARURU TJUNGURRAYI, attribué à (c.1920 - 1999) Sans titre. c. 1973 Acrylique sur panneau de bois. 80x19.5 cm.
Koller Auctions
Aug. 31, 2009
TJUNGURRAYI , Charlie Tararu (c.1921-1999)
Est: $22,000 - $25,000
TJUNGURRAYI , Charlie Tararu (c.1921-1999) Untitled ... Synthetic polymer paint on composition board Papunya, Central Australia, Circa 1973 122 x 91.5 cm
Mossgreen Auctions
Jul. 20, 2009
- Charlie Tararu Tjungurrayi Circa 1921-1999 UNTITLED (WALUNGURRU) synthetic polymer paint on linen
Est: $6,000 - $8,000
bears Papunya Tula Artists catalogue number CT860210 on the reverse synthetic polymer paint on linen
Sotheby's
Jul. 20, 2009
Charlie Tararu Tjungurrayi Circa 1921-1999 BANDICOOT DREAMING AT TJITURULNGA synthetic polymer paint on linen
Est: $7,000 - $10,000
bears artist's name and Papunya Tula Artists catalogue number CT880755 on the reverse synthetic polymer paint on linen
Sotheby's
Jul. 20, 2009
Charlie Tararu Tjungurrayi Circa 1921-1999 GOANNA STORY synthetic polymer paint and natural earth pigments on composition board
Est: $6,000 - $8,000
bears Stuart Art Centre consignment number 19044 on the reverse synthetic polymer paint and natural earth pigments on composition board
Sotheby's
Oct. 20, 2008
CHARLIE TARARU TJUNGURRAYI , CIRCA 1921-1999 UNTITLED Synthetic polymer paint on linen
Est: $6,000 - $8,000
Bears Papunya Tula Artists catalogue number CT800825 on the reverse Synthetic polymer paint on linen
Sotheby's
Aug. 18, 2008
TJUNGURRAYI , Charlie Tarawa Untitled Synthetic
Est: $4,000 - $5,000
TJUNGURRAYI , Charlie Tarawa Untitled Synthetic polymer paint on artboard Circa 1978 45.5 x 56
Mossgreen Auctions
Jul. 21, 2008
TJUNGAR C CHARLIE TJARURU TJUNGURRAYI Papunya NT
Est: $6,000 - $8,000
TJUNGAR C CHARLIE TJARURU TJUNGURRAYI Papunya NT (c. 1920 - 1999) Untitled - Travels of a Bandicoot 1985 acrylic on canvas 'Property of Tula' inscribed verso 150 x 99 cm Provenance: Papunya Tula Artists NT. Private collection. Certificate supplied.
Leonard Joel
Jul. 24, 2007
CHARLIE TARARU TJUNGURRAYI , UNTITLED 1973
Est: $8,000 - $12,000
Bears Papunya Tula Artists catalogue number CT31093 on the reverse Synthetic polymer paint on composition board
Sotheby's
Jul. 24, 2007
CHARLIE TARARU TJUNGURRAYI , WILD POTATO STORY 1971
Est: $50,000 - $70,000
Bears artist's name 'Charlie Jungari' (sic), language group 'Pintipi' (sic), title and diagrammatic annotations, in Geoffrey Bardon's hand on the reverse, and numbered '10' Synthetic polymer powder paint and acrylic on composition board
Sotheby's
Nov. 22, 2006
CHARLIE TJARURU TJUNGURRAYI (CIRCA 1920 - 1999) - Untitled, 1979
Est: $800 - $1,000
CHARLIE TJARURU TJUNGURRAYI (CIRCA 1920 - 1999) Untitled, 1979 synthetic polymer paint on composition board 37 x 30 cm Provenance: Private Collection, NSW
Lawsons
Nov. 22, 2006
CHARLIE TJARURU TJUNGURRAYI (CIRCA 1920 - 1999) - Untitled, 1979
Est: $800 - $1,000
CHARLIE TJARURU TJUNGURRAYI (CIRCA 1920 - 1999) Untitled, 1979 synthetic polymer paint on composition board 54 x 30 cm Provenance: Private Collection, NSW
Lawsons
Oct. 31, 2006
c - CHARLIE TARARU TJUNGURRAYI
Est: $5,000 - $7,000
CIRCA 1921-1999 TJUNGINYA 1985 TJUNGINYA 1985 107 by 107.5 cm Bears artist's name and Papunya Tula Artists catalogue number CT850434 on the reverse Sythetic polymer paint on linen PROVENANCE Papunya Tula Artists, Alice Springs Private collection, Canada NOTE This painting is sold with an accompanying Papunya Tula Artists certificate
Sotheby's
Jul. 25, 2005
CHARLIE TARARU TJUNGURRAYI CIRCA 1921-1999 GOANNA STORY 1972
Est: $12,000 - $18,000
Synthetic polymer paint and natural earth pigments on composition board Provenance
Sotheby's
Jul. 25, 2005
CHARLIE TARARU TJUNGURRAYI CIRCA 1921-1999 UNTITLED 1973
Est: $12,000 - $18,000
Synthetic polymer paint on composition board Provenance
Sotheby's
Jul. 25, 2005
CHARLIE TARARU TJUNGURRAYI CIRCA 1921-1999 OLD MAN'S DREAMING 1971
Est: $30,000 - $40,000
Synthetic polymer paint and natural earth pigments on composition board Provenance
Sotheby's
Jul. 25, 2005
CHARLIE TARARU TJUNGURRAYI CIRCA 1921-1999 UNTITLED 1971
Est: $10,000 - $15,000
Natural earth pigments and synthetic polymer paint on fashion board Provenance
Sotheby's
Jul. 26, 2004
CHARLIE TARARU TJUNGURRAYI CIRCA 1921-1999 THE TRIAL 1972 76 by 40.5 cm Synthetic polymer paint on composition board Provenance: Painted at Papunya in 1972 Consignment 19 to the Stuart Art Centre, Alice Springs Private collection, France A painting
Est: $70,000 - $100,000
CHARLIE TARARU TJUNGURRAYI CIRCA 1921-1999 THE TRIAL 1972 76 by 40.5 cm Synthetic polymer paint on composition board Provenance: Painted at Papunya in 1972 Consignment 19 to the Stuart Art Centre, Alice Springs Private collection, France A painting of a highly unusual subject, depicting the trial under traditional law of a man condemned to death. He is represented awaiting judgement as the set of concentric circles at the centre of the painting. Along the top and bottom edges of the picture, lines of mirrored double U-shapes indicate elders sitting in council. These are joined to the large central circle by black lines that denote the decision of the council The three double U- shapes on either side of the central black circle represent the executioners. The straight pink lines radiating towards the victim represent the fingers of spirits of the dead pointing to the accused, indicating to him that he is condemned to die. This painting is sold with a photocopy of the original Stuart Centre card with an annotated diagram and a description of the story depicted
Sotheby's