Fred Grant Australian, Pitjantjatjara, b. 1943

Fred Grant was born in north eastern Spinifex at Ukatjatjara. Like his brother, Ned Grant, Fred went in to Cundeelee Mission a segregated bush boy (nyiingka) whoseinitiation into Men’s Law had been delayed because of the enduring drought at thetime and the disturbance of traditional life by the Maralinga atomic testing and the rocket testing out of Woomera. Fred subsequently went ‘through’ the Law with older brother and ngalungku (contemporary initiate), Ned, in the ranges north of Laverton.Fred remained singlein his younger years before marrying his life partner, Carlene West, from Tjitjiti. As well as being one of the main ceremonial leaders for the Tjintu (sun side), Fred is a renowned singer. In 2003/4 Fred and ten other Spinifex singers and actors performedin the play “The Career Highlights of the Mamu” (spirit-monster). “Mamu” was a musical drama produced and directed by Black Swan Theatre in Perth portraying the history of the Spinifex people from thetime of the Maralinga Tests to the return to country. The company was invited to Hamburg, Germany, in August 2003 to perform at the Hamburg Summer Festival of Arts. Withhis extraordinary knowledge of Spinifex Tjukurpa and its myriad of inherent songlines Freds works are held in high esteem. They hang in prestigious collectionsnationally and internationally.