Artist Profile
EDDIE KITCHING JANAMA
TRIBAL GROUP: GURINDJI
BIOGRAPHY
Eddie Kitching Janama was born in Darwin in 1956, where he grew up for the first twenty years of his life before finding his traditional background.Eddie's Mother was born at Brock's Creek near Daly River and his Grandmother was born at Cattle Creek (Wave Hill). Before Eddie's mother was born, his Grandmother was taken from her Gurindgi homelands, ("The Stolen Generation"). Eddie moved to his traditional homelands near Wave Hill, to his large extended family where later he was to meet all family members down around Cattle Creek, Pigeon Hole , Lajamanu, Yuendumu and Alice Springs. Eddie Janama has been painting for the past twelve years, he enjoys painting in a quiet bush setting, where he recalls the important Dreamtime stories handed down to him from his family.
His advice to younger artists is to learn about their culture and Dreaming, so that they can pass on the stories to current and future generations.
Eddie has two brothers and eight sisters John who also paints, Dennis, Elain, Phissis, Sandra, Jennifer, Jean, Raylene, Nella and Shelly.Eddie has painted for the past 12 years, yet he has only become a commercial artist in the past 5 years. Eddie names his family members as his greatest inspiration. Malcolm Jagamarra, who was also part of the Stolen Generation showed Eddie how to paint. The stories came from his family and the techniques shown by Malcolm.
Eddie's personal Dreaming is Goanna, and he also paints Milky Way, Water, Snake, Bush Tucker and Bush Animals.
Eddie's artwork hangs in many personal collections around the globe and through his artwork hopes to keep the stories and the Dreaming alive.
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