Deutscher and Hackett

Born around 1946 at Wirwirji (Police Hole), located just to the north west of Bedford Downs station, Freddie Timms lived as a child for a time at Bow River and followed his father in becoming a stockman at Lissadell Station. He later worked as a stockman and fencer on several stations throughout the East Kimberley and it was during this time that he met and worked alongside Rover Thomas while both were employed at Bow River and Texas Downs.

Thomas was to have a deep and lasting influence on the art of Timms so much so, that when he began painting in 1995 after settling at Warmun (Turkey Creek), his paintings conformed to the East Kimberley archetype, originated by Thomas. Timms is noted for his careful aerial landscapes and mapping that has a feeling of familiarity that can only stem from someone who has an indisputable knowledge of the land and his works are recognized by discrete areas of colour outlined in double rows of white dots.

In a career that spanned more than 30 years, Freddie Timms was recognised as the foremost painter amongst the second generation of Gija artists. He became known for painting works that chronicled the interactions between the Gija and the settler/colonisers, recording the devastating consequences on the local people from the brutality of colonisation and station life in the cattle industry.

CRISPIN GUTTERIDGE