Eddie Blitner is a Marra and Alawa man from Naiyarlindji Country, at the community of Ngukurr on the Roper River, about 270 km south-east of Katherine in the Northern Territory.

He started painting at about seven, taught by his grandfather, who painted on bark with natural ochres. His grandfathers were artists and carvers, and over many years they passed on to Eddie the stories and Dreamings he paints today.

Eddie paints in the traditions of the Top End, using rarrk (fine cross-hatching) and the X-ray style, which shows an animal’s insides. His subjects include Mimi spirits, the Rainbow Serpent, totems, bush tucker and corroboree scenes, each painted with its story.

He is also an accomplished carver and didgeridoo maker. Some of his bird carvings stand two metres tall, fully decorated and cross-hatched.