Paddy Bedford c.1922 - 2007 

Paddy, or Kuwumji pronounced "Koomsie", was born at Bedford Downs Station in east Kimberley, WA.  He is a senior Gija lawman, renowned in his youth for his dancing and fighting skills.   Although Paddy painted ceremonial paintings all his life, his works on paper and canvas received international attention. Bedford depicts traditional Gija camping places in his distinctive abstract style. Waterholes, caves and hills are among the geographic features he paints. His achievements include numerous group exhibitions and acquisition by major museums and galleries.

Yoowangeny (Mud Springs)

This print shows Yoowangeny in Gija (called Mud Springs by Europeans).  It is one of the artist's frequent subjects.  Yoowangeny is an important dreaming place on Bedford Downs where people were drowned by Garloorroony the rainbow snake.  It is part of the artist's mother's country.  Two young men stole termite larvae which had been left out in coolamons or wooden dishes by women who had gone to look for bush honey and to dance.  Only women are allowed to eat this food.  The young men also tormented Doomboony the owl, throwing stones at him until they hit him in the eye.  Doomboony looked down from on top and called up Garloorroony who brought big wind and rain.  The two boys were swallowed by the rainbow snake and never came out of the water hole.  The women ran back and were also drowned.  Lots of other people tried to run away into the bush but were drowned as well.

Image size 49.4 x 49.2 cm

Paper size 80 x 61.6 cm