Born c.1935 Old McDonald Downs station, Freddie is an Alyawarre speaker and second son of Jacob Jones and Dolly Kemarre. Dolly is a powerful figure in the women’s business ('awelye’) in the Irrweltye area. Jacob Jones is 'an extremely powerful man who speaks for enormous tracts of Alyawarre land. It is he who sanctions what can be painted on canvas’ (according to Janet Holt, who runs the Delmore Downs painting company for which Freddie has painted since mid 1989). Freddie’s older brother Lenny is progressively taking on this responsibility for the land as Jacob grows frail. Freddie, too, is assuming important ceremonial roles, and teaching his many nephews. He is also an articulate spokesman for his family and for the Utopia community and is known for his good humour. He has a particular ritual connection with David Pwerle Ross , such that certain Dreamings must only be transcribed by them together, in acknowledgement of joint Eastern Anmatyerre and Alyawarre custodianship of the intersection of their heritage countries. Freddie paints Meat Ant, Pink Crested Cockatoo, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Earthworm, Caterpillar, Snake and Spider Dreamings. His work has been exhibited in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. He lives at Theleye Soakage.
- Writers:
- Johnson, Vivien
- Date written:
- 1994
- Last updated:
- 2011
