Ned Grant Australian, Pitjantjatjara, b. 1941

Ned Grant was born near Papatatjara a in the north-east quadrantof Spinifex Country in the Great Victoria Desert, WA. During the Aboriginal Evangelical Mission (AEM) sweep through Spinifex in the late 1950’s Ned was takeninto Cundeelee Mission with older brother, Ted (dec) and younger brother Fred. Nedwas a nyiingka (segregated bush boy) when he came in and was inducted into Men’sLaw in the ranges country north-west of Laverton. Ned, a senior man by the early1980’s, helped drive the return to Spinifex country. Today Ned is the main ceremonial leader of the Tjintu (sun side) of Spinifex society. Ned has been painting with the Spinifex Art Project since its beginning in 1997. His works have been included in major exhibitions nationally and internationally. Ned was one of 17 menwho collaboratively painted their particular estates, which merged together, formedthe Men’s Native Title painting. Ned continues to paint his “run”-the area around where he was born and subsequently lost his umbilical cord. Over the life of theproject Ned has not been a prolific individual painter. He has, however, been anintegral contributor to various men’s collaborative works. It is the quantum ofcollaborative works produced which has been a distinguishing feature of the Spinifex Art Project since its beginning.