Eddie Tjapangarti Ediminja

Eddie Tjapangarti Ediminja followed similar footsteps of many Western Desert artists in that he began painting late in life as the Western Desert art movement was emerging. He was born in approximately 1916 at a place called Ulpunyali which is west of Warakarra or more commonly known in English as Kings Canyon, in Central Australia. His traditional country is Walu which is west of Tjuninyanta and his Dreaming belongs to Tjungku which is in between the two places. Eddie is a Pitjantjatjara speaker which is a large language group found in the Northern Territory and some parts of South Australia.

As a young man he worked as a stockman on many stations around Central Australia – the three most prominent ones included Middleton Downs, Orange Creek and Haasts Bluff. In the 1970’s as well known Western Desert Company, Papunya Tula was being established; Eddie began to try his hand at painting. He initially started off using board for his depictions however soon moved onto canvas and acrylics.

In the 1980’s Eddie Ediminja became an associate of Limpi Tjapangati, a well known Western Desert Artist, whilst living at Haasts Bluff in Central Australia. Limpi Tjapangati’s influence can be found in Eddie’s artworks in this time period. In the late 1980’s Eddie lived at Tjukula which is between Docker River and Kintore (both Aboriginal communities) and he eventually moved to Docker River in his later years.

Eddie is known for his depictions of his Dreaming – Minyma Kutjara or two women dreaming. This Dreaming is the basis of the artwork acquired and since sold by Central Art. In the artwork, using traditional fine precise dotting, Eddie tells the story of the two women ancestors travelling through the country. The women would stop at significant rock holes through the Desert around Central Australia during their travels. He is also known to paint three men lying behind windbreaks. Eddie used traditional colourings in his works; these can be found in the Central Australian desert by collecting various coloured ochre rocks, these can be ground down with water added to create a thick paste which was traditionally used for painting. Ochre rocks are found in a variety of colours from white, tan, brown, and orange hues. In his later years, his eyesight failed him and his sons, Rex and Donald Eddie began to help him with his paintings.

Eddie has had several exhibitions in the Northern Territory and South Australia and his artworks can be found in some prominent Australian Art Collections. Sadly, Eddie is no longer with us however he leaves behind some fantastic traditional Aboriginal artworks.