Paddy Fordham Wainburranga

Paddy Fordham was born in Arnhem Land in the early 1930's and passed away on the 1st of June 2006.

His country is called Bamdibu near Bulman Station in the Northern Territory. Paddy started working as a boy around cattle yards, which finally led him into the career of a stock-man for 20 years. Before this, he spent much of his time hunting and learning culture and customs from his father and uncles. He can remember being taken to sacred locations where he was told many Dream-time stories of how customs came to be and why aboriginal people practice them.

Paddy's unique depiction of the Mimi Spirit was the centre piece for most of his artwork. He often painted a dancing Mimi Man, which he says is a good Mimi. He looks over the land as a protector, and only comes out at nights. The Mimi is not visible during the day. Paddy's works are part of many well known collections and can be seen in the Darwin and Canberra museums. Paddy travelled to Canberra for the opening of the Hollow Log memorial at the National Gallery of Australia as a tribute to all the Aborigines who had died as the result of European contact. Thirty of the two hundred poles in this installation were made by Paddy.

(Please note that in respect for the passing of this Aboriginal artist and their family, Central Art has removed all portrait photographs of this artist. This is in recognition of Aboriginal custom and cultural practices.)

• Kreczmanski, Janusz B & Birnberg, Margo (eds.): Aboriginal Artists: Dictionary of Biographies: Central Desert, Western Desert & Kimberley Region (JB Publishing Australia, Marleston, 2004)