Billabong Life | GA-2986

DOB: August 1958 – November 2009

Birthplace: Beswick, NT
Skin name: Bangardi

Community: Beswick, NT

Language: Jawoyn




Eddie started painting after he left school at the age of 12. He was taught to paint by artists such as Tom (Deaf Tom) Kelly, Solomon Weston, Brian Jimberry, Norman Lane and Frankie Lane. They showed him how to use traditional ochre’s and “jarlk” grass, which is the secret to the perfectly straight lines that are so often applied to Eddy’s work.

Eddie also made and painted didgeridoos, clapsticks, turtle shells, coffin logs and bark paintings whenever he went home to Beswick. Here he would also make bush string out of the “puut puut” tree (Northern Kurrajong) to tie up the bark paintings with.

Eddie was well-known for his didgeridoo playing and was often asked to play at the corroborees that used to be held during the tourist season.