Description:

Nancy Petyarr(e)
(1934 - 2009)
Wild Passionfruit Dreaming (Arrutnenge), 1989
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
Painted in 1989 at Antelyte (Boundary Bore), this work is one of the first acrylic paintings ever created in the Eastern Desert region.

The roundels and branching forms trace the fruit and its tendrils of the Arrutnenge (wild passionfruit), while the dense dotting and concentric arcs evoke both country and ceremony. The large U-shapes represent women gathered for Awely(e) (women's ceremony), linking the painting to ancestral narratives and the seasonal abundance of bush foods. Through its layered fields of acrylic dots, the work embodies both a visual map of country and an intergenerational story, situating Petyarr(e)'s practice within the broader Anmatyerr(e) tradition while marking her individual style of rhythmic, flowing composition.

  • Provenance: CAAMA Shop, Alice Springs, Cat No. 25-889 Austral Gallery, St Louis (Mary Reid Brunstrom), Invoice No. 687
  • Dimensions: 91 x 61 cm
  • Medium: synthetic polymer paint on canvas
  • Condition: Buyers Please Note


    This auction is conducted in conjunction with Newstead Art Auctions.
    Theodore Bruce will manage online bidding, registrations, invoicing, and payments, while Newstead Art will handle all onsite logistics, including viewings, collections, and shipping.


    Viewing:

    Onsite viewings will take place in Albany, New York, USA, between 23 and 30 October 2025.
    For more information or to arrange a visit, please contact Adrian Newstead at [email protected].


    Payment & Collection:

    All purchases must be paid within two (2) days of the auction.
    Shipping or collection arrangements must be finalised by 8 November 2025.
    To ensure timely processing, we recommend using the Theodore Bruce 3D Secure online payment system.


    Location of Lots:


    All lots are located in Albany, New York, USA. A representative and a recommended carrier will be available onsite until 8 November 2025. All lots must be collected by this date.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

All Lots Are Located In Albany, New York, USA, we have a representative onsite and a recommended carrier available until 8 November, 2025. All Lots MUST collected by that date.

Purchases must be paid for within two days of auction and shipping/collection arrangements need to be finalised no later than 8 November 2025. In order to facilitate this timeframe we recommend using our 3D Secure online payment system.

October 31, 2025 9:00 AM AEDT
Stanmore, Australia

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
A$0 A$999 A$50
A$1,000 A$1,999 A$100
A$2,000 A$4,999 A$200
A$5,000 A$9,999 A$500
A$10,000 A$19,999 A$1,000
A$20,000 A$49,999 A$2,000
A$50,000 A$99,999 A$5,000
A$100,000 A$199,999 A$10,000
A$200,000 A$499,999 A$20,000
A$500,000 A$999,999 A$50,000
A$1,000,000 + A$100,000