Les Huddleston

Birth Place: Penrith NSW Year of Birth: 1960

Background: Les is from the Ngardi language group in the Roper River region of East Arnhem Land through his father and his mother. The Roper River Mission was established in 1908 and became a focal food and shelter point for people within a radius of several hundred kilometres whose traditional way of life had been severely disrupted. Les was born in Penrith Hospital in 1960. His parents and older brother were moved to Mulgoa mission near Penrith from Groote Eylandt after the bombing of Darwin 1941.He moved back to Darwin with his parents in 1971. It was important for him to visit and connect with the country from which his family had been dispossessed. It was there that he sought permission and guidance from Ngardi elders and began his career as a painter. His family returned to Ngukurr one year later. Education: Les went to High school in Darwin. Solo Exhibitions: Exhibited works in local galleries at Darwin and Katherine. Also has exhibited overseas.