Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri

Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri also known as Clifford Possum (c.1932—21 June 2002) was an Australian artist. He is considered one of the foremost Aboriginal painters of the Dot Art painting school (a styling of painting in acryllics made famous by indigenous painters of the Northern Territory. Possum came to the attention of the art world in the 1970s; there has been a renewed interest in his work since his death.

Beginning in 1971, schoolteacher Geoffrey Bardon encouraged his pupils to record their ephemeral body and sand painting. Adult men later began to do this type of painting as well, painting some of the stories and images from the aboriginal storytelling known as The Dreamtime. Possum Tjapaltjarri already an expert woodcarver and a talented painter, joined the nascent art movement and distinguished himself. Possum’s work is considered an important bridge between Western and Indigenous Art.

, a Clifford Possum work, sold by Sotheby’s in 2007, currently holds the record for an aboriginal painting.

In October, 2011, Sotheby’s announced that they would auction an artwork believed to be by Possum Tjapaltjarri without authenticating it by scientific means, due to the danger of damage to the bark and frame.