American actor and comedian Steve Martin has scooped up one of the last remaining paintings by celebrated Gija artist Paddy Bedford in the final release of works from his estate.

Thirty-five works by Bedford are being exhibited at D’Lan Contemporary in Melbourne until next Thursday, in a collaboration with the estate’s sole agent, gallerist William Mora. Thirty of the works have sold, for a total of more than $2.7 million, among them Martin’s acquisition, Bemberrawoonany – Brumby Spring, 2004, one of the five most valuable paintings in the exhibition, costing $180,000. As Saleroom readers will know, Martin is a major collector of Indigenous Australian art and a backer of Davidson’s new Melbourne gallery.