Bardayal Lofty Nadjamerrek
- Skin Name:Nadjamerrek
- Language:Kunwinjku
- Region:Arnhem Land, Northern Territory
- Dreaming:Rainbow Serpent, Kangaroo, Emu, Long Neck Turtle, Mimi Spirits.
Artist has Passed Away
1926 - 2009
Out of respect for Aboriginal culture Central Art has removed the artist's photograph.
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Biography
Bardayal Nadjamerrek, or nicknamed ‘Lofty’ is considered a National Treasure. I (Sabine Haider, Director Central Art) have not had the pleasure of working with Bardayal personally however I wanted to feature his biography on Central Art because of his importance to Aboriginal Art and Australia.
Bardayal was born in 1926 and is from the Mann River region in Arnhem Land. He grew up in the area and was taught the traditional ways of living in the bush. He did not attend school but developed a deep and respected knowledge of his culture, the land and survival. He married a woman named Mary and together they had eight children; five daughters and three sons, however none of his children have taken up painting. He was considered a senior elder of the Mok clan, his tribe. He was also the custodian of many Dreamtime stories and took part in many ceremonies. Later in life he was unable to attend and participate in as many ceremonies as he would have liked.
Bardayal was a traditional bark painter, meaning he would use tree bark as the medium on which he would paint and would use traditional ochre colours to depict his stories. In his later years he moved to paper due to the more accessible availability of it over collecting and preparing the bark.
Bardayal had a thirty year career as an artist with his first exhibition in 1975 and during that time participated in over thirty exhibitions. Throughout his life he consistently produced artworks and it was only when his eyesight failed him due to Trachoma that he ceased producing artworks. His artworks are held by many prestigious galleries in Australia and he has received many accolades for his works including using one of his artworks on the Australian 40 cent stamp in 1982. In 1993, the Darwin Airport Commission held a large mural of one of Bardayal’s paintings, titled “Ngalyod” on permanent display in the Airport Foyer.
In 1999, he won the 16th annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award (NATSIAA) in the category of “Best Works on Paper”. The NATSIAA is the premier art award in Australia and Bardayal was a selected entrant on several occasions.
Finally in 2004, he received the Order of Australia, the highest level of recognition to be achieved by an Australian for his contribution to Australia.
Sadly in 2009 Bardayal passed away. He had a state funeral with many in attendance. He is a national treasure and is a highly regarded artist. It is a wonder that his artworks do not fetch higher prices given his importance to Aboriginal Art and Australia. He is a must for any art collector and if you enjoy the traditional depictions of the Arnhem Land artists he would be a perfect candidate.
Unfortunately I have been unable to acquire any of his artworks however I am very familiar with his paintings from managing a local Alice Springs gallery. I was able to learn so much about Aboriginal art through his artwork and had the privilege of selling some of his amazing paintings. He is such a collectable artist and I would highly recommend anyone buying his artworks.
Central Art does stock beautiful note books with one of his Kangaroo Dreaming paintings on the cover. This is a reproduction of one of his paintings and would make a wonderful gift or unique personal item. These can be located in the Gift Store of our site.
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Bibliography
- Brody, A. (1984) Kunwinjku Bim: Western Arnhem Land Paintings from the Collection of the Aboriginal Arts Board. National Gallery of Victoria: Melbourne.
- Skerritt, H. (2010) ‘Bardayal ‘Lofty’ Nadjamerrek’ Art Guide Australia. Vol. November December 2010. Page 45-49.
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Collections
- National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.
- Museum and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
- Berndt Museum of Anthropology, University of Western Australia, Perth.
- The Australian Museum, Sydney.
- Museum of Contemporary Art, Arnotts Collection, Sydney.
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Canberra.
- Anthropology Museum, University of Queensland, St Lucia.
- Artbank, Sydney.
- The Holmes a Court Collection, Perth.
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Exhibitions
- 2006, “Bardayal ‘Lofty’ Nadjamerrek Late Works”, Annadale Gallery, Sydney.
- 2003, “New Works”, Annadale Gallery, Sydney.
- 1999, “The 16th annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Art Award Exhibition”, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
- 1999, Framed Gallery, Darwin.
- 1998, “The 15th annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
- 1996, Framed Gallery, Darwin.
- 1995, “The 12th annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition”, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
- 1995, “Moon, Rainbow and Sugarbag – The art of Mick Kubarkku, Bardayal Nadjamerrek”, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin (touring nationally).
- 1994, Aboriginal and Tribal Art Gallery, Sydney.
- 1994, “The 11th annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition”, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
- 1993, 1994 “Power of the Land - Masterpieces of Aboriginal Art”, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.
- 1993, Editions, Southbank, Melbourne.
- 1993, “The 10th annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition”, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
- 1992, “The 9th annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition”, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
- 1990, “The 7th annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition”, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
- 1988, “The Inspired Dream”, Museum and Gallery of the Northern Territory (touring internationally).
- 1988, “Aboriginal Art of the Top End”, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.
- 1987, “The 4th annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition”, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
- 1986, “The 3rd annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition”, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
- 1986, “The Art of the First Australians”, Kobe City Museum Japan.
- 1985, “The 2nd annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition”, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
- 1984, “Kunwinjku Bim – Western Arnhem Land Paintings”, From the Collection of the Aboriginal Arts Board, National Gallery of Victoria.
- 1984, “The 1st annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition”, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
- 1983, “Artists of Arnhem Land”, Canberra School of Arts, Canberra.
- 1982, “Aboriginal Art at the Top”, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
- 1975, “Australian Bark Painting”, From the Collection of Dr. Edward Ruhe (touring USA).
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Awards
- 2004, Australia Day Honours: Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia – Bardayal ‘Lofty’ Nadjamerrek.
- 1999, Winner – “Best Works on Paper”, 16th annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award.
- 1998, Entrant, 15th annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition.
- 1995, Entrant, 12th annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition.
- 1994, Entrant, 11th annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition.
- 1993, Entrant, 10th annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition.
- 1992, Entrant, 9th annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition.
- 1990, Entrant, 7th annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition.
- 1987, Entrant, 4th annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition.
- 1986, Entrant, 3rd annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition.
- 1985, Entrant, 2nd annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition.
- 1984, Entrant, 1st annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition.
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