Paddy Sims Japaljarri

Country/Region: Australia (view other artists)

Paddy Sims Japaljarri's country is west of Yuendumu but he has lived in Yuendumu since he was a young single man. Back when there were no clothes, Walpiri people wore hair string belts that they made. When Paddy Sims Japaljarri was young he worked sawing mulga trees for the wood and for fuel for fires. Paddy was also involved with gardening and farming in the Yuendumu district. This included growing watermelons, cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes and other vegetables. The farm was at Four Mile Bore where they had chickens, pigs, ducks and other animals. Paddy is married to Bessie Nakamarra and he is warringiyi (grandfather). All his life he's been hunting goanna, kangaroo, emu and other animals each day for bush tucker. Paddy has passed his knowledge on to many of the young men. This has also lead to him working at the Yuendumu school teaching jukurrpa (Dreaming), painting, hunting, traditional dancing and bush tucker and has also helped out on excursions out bush, to Alice Springs and to Darwin. Paddy has been painting for Warlukurlangu (the Art Centre at Yuendumu) for many years.

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