of Kudditji Kngwarreye, including Melbourne-based painter Vincent Fantauzzo (a four-time Archibald People's Choice Award winner). Vincent's 2016 exhibition Last Contact at Nanda Hobbs Gallery showcased five triptychs; each containing a portrait of a great Central Australian artist, together with a painting by the Indigenous artist and a landscape by Fantuazzo. His great affection and respect for Kudditji is undeniable "He kind of looks like a character from Lord of the Rings but there's nothing fake about him. Everything is genuine and real." Fantauzzo has commented on the sense of urgency he felt to complete his portrait, when in 2015 Kudditji fell ill and there were fears he may not recover. "I get goosebumps thinking about it. That's the time when I realised what he meant to me and what he taught me." Fantuazzo entered his portrait of Kngwarreye in the 2015 Archibald Prize as well as Kngwarreye's artwork in the Wynne Prize. Neither painting was shown in the finalist exhibition. Another artist to have been positively influenced by Kudditji Kngwarreye is Philip Hunter Lindsay, a Sydney-based landscape and portrait artist and finalist in the Art Gallery of New South Wales 2011 Sir John Sulman Prize. Philip claims to have taken extensive inspiration for Kngwarreye, particularly his early life living as a stockman in the remote parts of central Australia. Philip Hunter Lindsay has painted over a dozen unique, sought after colourful portraits of Kudditji Kngwarreye over a decade of his admiration for the unique, Australian artist. Awards In 2006 Kudditji was named as one of the top 50 most collectible artists in Australia by Art Collector magazine. See also Australian art References General references Ryan, Judith (2008). Across the Desert: Aboriginal Batik from Central Australia. Melbourne: National Gallery of Victoria. . Australian Art Collector magazine, issue 2, October – December 1997 External links Emily Kame Kngwarreye News at Aboriginal Art Directory Emily Kam Ngwarray at the Art Gallery of New South Wales 1938 births 2017 deaths Australian Aboriginal artists People from the Northern Territory