Paddy Japaljarri Stewart, from Mungapunju, just south of Yuendumu, was a man of many talents and significant contributions. As a young man, he worked as a station worker at Mt Allen, Mt Dennison, and in the Top End. He earned the nickname ‘Cookie’ while working as a chef in Papunya. At Yuendumu School, Paddy taught young kids, both kardiya (non-Aboriginal) and yapa (Aboriginal), imparting skills in painting, Jukurrpa (Dreaming), tracking (dingo, kangaroo, goanna, etc.), making wax for sand painting, dancing, making boomerangs, and many other important cultural traditions. Additionally, he drove the school bus that collected the kids each day. Paddy was also actively involved in the council and Night Patrol and previously served as the chairman for the Warlukurlangu Artists Committee. He painted regularly and contributed to projects like the Yuendumu School Doors.
In 1988, Paddy Stewart was selected by The Power Gallery at Sydney University to travel to Paris with five other Warlpiri men from Yuendumu to create a ground painting installation at the exhibition ‘Magiciens de la Terre’ at the Centre Georges Pompidou. The trip took place in May 1989, and the painting received worldwide acclaim. Paddy Japaljarri Stewart exhibited artwork throughout Australia and around the world, including exhibitions in France, the USA, Germany, the UK, French Polynesia, and Amsterdam.
Paddy Japaljarri Stewart's work is featured in the collections of major art institutions in Australia, including the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), and Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), as well as institutions around the world.
