Kudditji was born circa 1928 in the Utopia region; a series of Aboriginal owned outstations 240 kilometres north east of Alice Springs. He is an elder of the Eastern Anmatyerre language group and as a young man worked as a stockman herding cattle by foot across his country.
Kudditji is now a traditional custodian of his country and of the Emu story, for which he was responsible in initiating the younger men of his clan. Although not much detail is given about aspects of this initiation, it is generally understood that this involved the practical teaching of hunting the Emu as well as the spiritual story of the Emu ancestors. It is Kudditji's obligation to continue this story and his intimate physical and spiritual knowledge of the Anmatyerre country is what he now transfers onto his canvas.
It is commonly believed that Kudditji began painting in the early 1980s and like his sister, the late Emily Kame Kngwarreye, is a unique and internationally renown colourist.
Kudditji mixes his colours directly onto the canvas, layering his paint into a patchwork formation. Often his works will change throughout the day as different light sources draw out different colours and elements, whilst others recede.
It is in this depth that his story of country and the story of the Emu resides, the complexity and vastness of his landscape only accessible in patches as they come to light.
Kudditji’s work has found great acclaim and is featured in many important collections in both Australia and overseas.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2010, Kudditji Kngwarreye, Palya Proper Fine Arts, Alice Springs
2009, Kudditji Kngwarreye - Recent Works, Japingka Gallery, Fremantle, WA
2008, 30 Emu Dreamings, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2006, Kudditji Kngwarreye: New Paintings, Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne, Victoria
2006, Kudditji Kngwarreye, Japingka Gallery, Fremantle, WA
2005, New Paintings, Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne, Victoria
2005, Waterhole Aboriginal Art, Sydney, NSW
2005, Colours in Country, Art Mob Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania
2004, My Country, Japingka Gallery, Perth, WA
2004, New Paintings, Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne, Victoria
GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2010, Utopia, Neo Gallery, Brisbane, Queensland
2010, Arnkerrthe - A Tribute to Nancy Petyarre, Astras Gallery, Gold Coast, Queensland
2010, Summer Collection, Japingka Gallery, Perth, WA
2009, Aboriginal Art, Mary Place Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2009, Summer Collection, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2009, Pink 2009, Art Mob Aboriginal Fine Art, Hobart, Tasmania
2009, Utopia 09, Neo Gallery, Brisbane, Queensland
2009, Kudditji Kngwarreye - Pastels: New works, new palette, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2009, Size Matters, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2008, Black & White: Inspired By Landscape, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2008, Central Australian Aboriginal Art - The Ultimate Collection, Alice Sundown Aboriginal Art, Alice Springs, NT
2008, Utopia, Art Equity, Sydney, NSW
2007, Contemporary Aboriginal Paintings, John Leech Gallery, Auckland, NZ
2006, Masterwork, Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne, Victoria
2006, Togart Contemporary Art Exhibition, Darwin, NT
2005, Fresh from the Central Desert, Canberra Grammar School, Canberra, ACT
2005, Heartbeat - Living Country, Sofitel Wentworth, Sydney, NSW
2005, Big Country, Gallery Gondwana, ALice Springs, NT
2005, Colours in Country, Art Mob Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania
2004, Spirit of Colour, Depot Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2004, Heartbeat - Living Country, Wentworth Hotel, Sydney, NSW
2004, Australian Exhibition Centre, Chicago, USA
2004, Two Senior Men, Art Mob Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania
2004, My Country, New Paintings, Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne, Victoria
2003, New Paintings, Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne, Victoria
2002, The Contemporaries, Contemporary Artspace, Brisbane, Queensland
1992, Tjukurrpa, Museum fur Volkerkunde, Basel, Switzerland
1991, Central Australian Aboriginal Art and Craft Exhibition, Araluen Centre, Alice Springs, NT
1990, Art Dock, Contemporary Art from Australia, Noumea, New Caledonia
COLLECTIONS:
Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT
Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW