Kuddtji is a highly acclaimed and important Aboriginal artist. His connections to traditional ways are evident not only through his powerful sense of awareness, but through his spiritual connections with his paintings. The songs relating to the story he is portraying are sung as he recounts the journeys of his ancestors.

Known for his intricate portrayals of the Emu Dreaming, Kudditji has developed several abstract depictions of this story. With a strong sense of colour much like his famous sister Emily Kame Kngwarreye he overlays paint that produces depth and design. His paintings have an incredible energy, vibrancy and appeal.

Kuddtji is collected both in Australia and internationally.  Kudditji (pronounced goo-beh-chee and called Goob), is one of Australia’s foremost contemporary indigenous artists.

Born around 1925, Kudditji Kngwarreye is the younger brother of the late Emily Kame Kngwarreye. He had a traditional bush upbringing and worked as a stockman and mine worker for many years. He is a senior law-man and the custodian of many Men’s Business ceremonial sites. Part of his senior law-man responsibility was to teach the young boys how to hunt as part of their initiation to becoming men.

Kudditji depicts his Dreamings, particularly Emu Dreaming, with big bold brush strokes in an abstract form with a colourful palette.  When he started painting around 1986 his works were more detailed and he fitted in with the fashion of the times, but later evolved into the contemporary and abstract artist that he is known for today.

2006 Kuddtji was named as one of the top 50 most collectible artists in Australia by Art Collector magazine.

Exhibitions

2011            Kudditji Kngwarreye, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney

2010            Kudditji Kngwarreye, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney

2009            Kudditji Kngwarreye: Pastels, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney

2008            Emu Dreamings, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney

2008            From the Air, Fireworks Gallery, Brisbane

2008            My Country, Japingka Gallery, Perth

2008            Black & White: Inspired by Landscape, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney

2006            Masterwork, Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne

2006            My Country, Japingka Gallery, Perth

2006            New Paintings, Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne

2005            Waterhole Aboriginal Art, Danks Street, Sydney

2005            New Paintings, Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne

2005            Colours in Country, Art Mob, Hobart, Tasmania

2005            Big Country, Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs.

2005            Fresh from the Central Desert, Canberra Grammar School, Canberra

2004            My Country, New Paintings, Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne

2004            My Country, Japingka Gallery, Perth

2004            Two Senior Men, Art Mob, Hobart, Tasmania

2004            Australian Exhibition Centre, Chicago

2004            Heartbeat – Living Country, Wentworth Hotel Sydney

2004            Spirit of Colour, Depot Gallery, Sydney, NSW

2004            Waterhole Aboriginal Art, Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Exhibition, Sydney

2003            New Paintings, Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne

2000            Mia Mia Aboriginal Gallery, Templestowe, Melbourne

1999            New Paintings, Chapel off Chapel, Melbourne

1992            Tjukurrpa, Museum fur Volkerkunde, Basel, Switzerland

1991            Central Australian Aboriginal Art & Craft Exhibition, Araluen Centre, Alice Springs

1990            Art Dock, Contemporary Art from Australia, Noumea, New Caledonia

MAJOR COLLECTIONS

Araluen Art Centre, Alice Springs

Hank Ebes Collection, Melbourne

Macquarie University, NSW

R. M. Barokh Antiques, Los Angeles, California