The use of garliwan (natural tree resin) in the execution of an artwork is complex, from the collection of the resin from certain trees at certain times of the year, to coming up with a combination of resin that can be applied like paint but won’t crack, to applying the resin over the ochre in a quick motion to ensure that the resin doesn’t harden whilst painting. The result is well worth it though as the effect is like a beautiful piece of mahogany furniture.
Highly recommended.
ARTIST PROFILE
Tommy Carroll
Tommy was born in 1956 at Doon Doon Station in the East Kimberley and worked as a stockman for many years. His knowledge of the country in which he worked is extensive and the pivotal focus of his paintings.
He is a natural – his style is strong, individual, balanced, striking. It is obvious that he has never followed in anyone’s footsteps – his works are most definitely by Tommy Carroll.
The paintings flow with the landscape – from minimal yet precise black and white to vibrant reds and bright yellow to the softer black/brown/green of his grandfather, Paddy Carroll’s country.
He has participated in Solo and Group Exhibitions throughout Australia – his paintings have been acquired by important collectors, the National Gallery of Australia and the Parliament House Collection. Tommy’s works are popular world-wide, as many collectors from America, Germany and Holland have discovered and collected and continue to commission works by this now well established artist.
A man of few words, a focused, professional artist – minimal by style, not by market preference.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2004
- Tommy Carroll and Mabel Juli, Kaliman Gallery, Sydney
2003
- Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne
2002
- Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne
Selected Group Exhibitions
2008
- East of East Kimberley: Warmun in Asia, ReDot Gallery, Singapore
2007
- Ralph Pucci International Gallery, New York (in association with Cross Cultural Art Exchange, Darwin)
-Greetings From Turkey Creek, Mary Place Gallery, Sydney
-“From the ground up: Ochre work from the Kimberley”, Chapman Gallery, Canberra
2006
- Recent Works by Warmun Artists, Mary Place Gallery, Sydney
2005
- Waterhole 11, Raft Artspace, Darwin
- New Work From Warmun, Gadfly Gallery, Perth
2003
- Recent Works by Warmun Artists, Framed Gallery, Darwin
2002
- Warmun Group Show, Flinders University Art Museum, Adelaide
- Colleen Carter, Tommy Carroll and Katie Cox, Span Gallery, Flinders Lane, Melbourne
- Collectors Show, Span Gallery, Flinders Lane, Melbourne
2000
- Ben Grady Gallery, Canberra
Selected Collections
- Australian National Gallery, Canberra
- Parliament Collection, Canberra
- Broadmeadows Health Service Collection, Victoria
- Artbank, Sydney