QUEENIE MCKENZIE NAKARRA, Texas Downs Road, 1997

QUEENIE MCKENZIE NAKARRA Gija language, c.1915 - 1998 Texas Downs Road, 1997 ochre on canvas 30.5 x 40.5 cm bears inscription verso: 25.4.97, "Texas Downs Road", 40x30, QM0069 PROVENANCE Warmun Traditional Artists, Western Australia, Cat No. QM0069 Private Collection, United States of America This painting depicts Texas Downs Road, part of the landscape surrounding Texas Downs Station, south-east of Warmun in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia. It is Country that Queenie McKenzie knew intimately, having been born at Old Texas Downs Station and spent much of her early life living and working in the area. McKenzie's distinctive approach to painting is evident in the bold, simplified forms and confident application of natural ochres. Broad areas of pink colour define the contours of the landscape, while the grey wavy line suggest the movement of the road through the surrounding Country. Rather than presenting a literal representation, McKenzie distills the landscape to its essential features, conveying both its physical character and personal significance. The rich earth pigments, drawn from the natural palette of the Kimberley, reinforce the connection between the painted surface and the Country it represents. Through her economical use of form and colour, McKenzie captures the familiarity of a place known intimately through a lifetime of experience. As one of the first women to take up painting in Warmun, Queenie McKenzie played a pivotal role in establishing the artistic legacy of Gija women. Her paintings bring together personal memory, cultural knowledge and the stories embedded within Country. In Texas Downs Road, she offers a deeply personal interpretation of her homeland, affirming the enduring importance of place, identity and belonging. © QUEENIE MCKENZIE NAKARRA / Copyright Agency, 2026

Estimate:£1,314.1

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