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Born   circa 1925

Died   2011

Region Mina Mina

Language Warlpiri

Paddy Lewis Japanangka was born around 1925–1928 in the bush country around Yuendumu and Nyirripi, living as a nomadic hunter-gatherer with his extended Warlpiri family. Travelling vast distances across the desert, he was taught the traditional ways of his country from an early age – its songlines, ceremonies, and the sacred geography that would define his life’s work as both a senior law man and an artist.

In 1957, Paddy was relocated from his tribal lands near Mina Mina – one of many Warlpiri people removed during the government settlement era. The following year, he was photographed alongside Pegleg Tjampitjinpa as young warriors leaving the desert. That image was published in the 1962 edition of National Geographic magazine in an article by anthropologist Donald Thomson – a document of extraordinary historical significance that places Paddy at the living intersection of two worlds.

He spent his life in Nyirripi, 460 km northwest of Alice Springs, where he held deep authority as a custodian of Warlpiri law and ceremony. Like many Indigenous Elders of his generation, he experienced significant vision impairment for much of his adult life. Following a government-sponsored operation that restored his sight, he immediately asked for a painting stick – and began creating the most important body of work of his lifetime.

In 2008, Harvey Galleries in Sydney curated Paddy Lewis Japanangka’s first solo show of important lifetime works. This is significant when considering that an academic paper was published on this exhibition, headed by highly acclaimed author, Susan McCulloch.

Paddy has been included in a number of international shows and in many important private collections. He was a part of the Warlukurlangu project, which resulted in the Yuendumu doors collections that is now an international touring exhibition.

EXHIBITIONS & RECOGNITION

Solo Exhibitions

2008   Trevor Victor Harvey Gallery, Sydney. Accompanied by an academic paper authored by eminent art historian Susan McCulloch, published in association with the show.

International Group Exhibitions

2010   Pro Community: ARTKELCH — Contemporary Aboriginal Art, Freiburg, Germany.
2010   Hunter Dreams Of, African Muse Gallery, Paris, France.
2009   Last Dreams, African Muse Gallery, Paris, France.
Ongoing Multiple international group exhibitions throughout his painting career (1999–2011).

Historic Projects

Warlukurlangu / Yuendumu Doors Project – International touring exhibition. A landmark collaborative Aboriginal art project in which Paddy participated, now held in the collection of the South Australian Museum, Adelaide.

ARTISTIC LEGACY

Paddy Lewis Japanangka is the patriarch of one of the most significant multi-generational custodial art lineages in Warlpiri culture. His daughters Dorothy Napangardi Lewis and Margaret Lewis Napangardi both became accomplished painters, carrying the Mina Mina Jukurrpa tradition he established forward into international prominence.

Paddy also has grandchildren and great-grandchildren continuing to paint the Mina Mina country, cementing one of the most significant multi-generational custodial art lineages in Warlpiri culture.

AUCTION RESULTS

Paddy Lewis’s market profile is defined by rarity, scholarly provenance, and a powerful lineage argument. His formal painting career spanned just twelve years (1999–2011) and his works entered the market almost exclusively through institutional channels – Warlukurlangu Artists, Yanda Artists and Harvey Galleries – ensuring strong documentation for every piece.