Born: c.1928 – d.2017
Language: Ammatyerre
Region: Boundary Bore, Utopia, NT
Kudditji Kngwarreye actively began painting in 1986. His distinctive articulate symmetrical dotted paintings were sought over the last 18 years in the major art galleries in Alice Springs, depicting various interpretations of the Emu Dreaming sites and ceremonies associated with Men's Business.
Ten years ago Kudditji began to experiment with paint to eradicate the pointillist style altogether and use a heavily loaded paint brush to sweep broadly across the canvas in stages, similar to the western landscape plane, these paintings were romantic images of his country, accentuating the colour and form of the landscape including the depth of the sky in the raining season and in the summer heat. Whilst the early body of this work was admired by an astute few it was not well received at the time by the main outlets for his work in Alice Springs. Painting being his means of income required him to return to the more popular style of precise dotted paintings.
In 2003 Kudditji returned to explore the looser painting style, which it has been commented is very similar to the last paintings of his elder sister Emily Kame Kngwarreye. The late great innovator in contemporary desert art.
Like many Ammatyerre men of his generation he made a valuable contribution to the stockman's profession and also sought employment in the mines prior to developing his painting and settling on an artistic career.
Sadly, Kudditji passed away in January 2017.