On the Road to Mt Isa and Townsville

On the Road to Mt Isa and Townsville
December 2010

The 2010 Exhibition is the last time I will be hosting the event for the Heart Foundation. We have both agreed that the event has run the distance and it is time to focus on new and more exciting events to raise awareness for this very worthy cause.
The East Coast Aboriginal Art Exhibition was an annual event first staged in 2007. The purpose of the exhibition is to raise awareness of Indigenous health issues and generate valuable funds for Indigenous heart health programs by showcasing the art works of prominent Indigenous Artists.

Lloyd was the lead artist, showcasing more than 45 artworks including paintings, clay work and sculptures during a two month period exhibiting in Brisbane Queensland State Library, Mt Isa TAFE and the Townsville Cultural Centre.

The three locations featured a two week exhibition and a launch cocktail party for approximately 200 invited guests. The launch event featured local Indigenous entertainment, guest speakers, canapés and refreshments. After the launch event the exhibition runs for a two week period showcasing the selected works and education attendees about heart health and the work of the Heart Foundation in improving Indigenous health through a dedicated screen presentation. Proceeds from the sale of the selected artworks will go directly to the Indigenous health initiatives run by the Heart Foundation.

School Groups, TAFE Students and University Students had the opportunity to experience guided art tours of the exhibition with Lloyd. Lloyd talked through the meanings behind the artworks, the origins of East Coast Artwork and the protocol behind exhibiting in various areas.

Supporting artists for the 2010 exhibition tour were, Lloyd Hornsby Gawura Lead Artist, Milton Budge, Debbie Taylor and Lloyds youngest daughter Raquel Jackson.

Lloyd commented on the success of the tour “I have to say I love touring to regional areas talking to the people and the schools. The response I get to the artwork and the event is fantastic. I always feel like I have achieved so much when I come back from being on tour. The warmth of the people from regional Queensland never ceases to amaze me.”

2011 - What will I be doing.......

I am in a planning phase at present. Looking at going to Canberra for an exhibition, maybe back to Armidale. I certainly love that place. We are doing some planning with the boys at PCYC regarding workshops with the young people. I should have some idea on where to from here early in the new year. For now it is back to some painting and creating some new canvases. I am currently tackling a 4 mt in depth painting, and it is coming together well. I will have some time with my children and grandchildren over Christmas, then my lovely wife and I are having a holiday at the beach. Put the feet up and relax and contemplate how good life is.

I would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a safe new year.

Update for April 2010

It has been a while since I have logged onto my site. Have been so busy. Well I am proud to announce I have finished my studies, and received my degree. I have a degree in a Bachelor of Australian Indigenous Contemporary Art from Griffith University. My family came to see me receive my award on the 19th December 2009. What a fantastic moment it was.

Since Christmas I have been concentrating on getting my new web site up and running. Please visit it and email me feedback on the site if you enjoy wandering around reading the articles, and viewing my artworks. I have also been doing a lot of workshops with High Schools, Primary Schools and the Local Libraries. I get a great deal of pleasure sitting with Indigenous and Non Indigenous people just wanting to paint and express their inner creativity.

One of the best things I have done this year, is take a holiday with my lovely wife Wendy. We went to Alice Springs and visited Ayres Rock, walked around the rock and took in the wonderful spiritual experience.

We started off and went to Roma, Longreach, Mt Isa, across to Tennant Creek, Down to Alice Springs, Ayres Rock, down to Coober Pedy, Port Agusta, across to Broken Hill, up to Moree, Goondawindi and home. What a trip, 7,000 klms of beautitful outback Australia. After all the rain we have had the red centre had sprung to life, and was green and red. We had the pleasure of seeing the Todd River run. For those of you that do not know, the Todd River at Alice Springs is an upside down river. The sand is on the top and the water underneath. Well the water was running over the sand - this is quite unusual, and only happens after a lot of rain.

I presented the Central Land Council with two prints of paintings I have done through consultation with the Land Council. Visit my gallery to see 'Initiation Rites" and 'Hands Off" these are the two paintings I gave prints to them. How good is that, Lloyd Hornsby Gawura has two prints in Alice Springs.

I am getting geared up to do sales in merchandise and prints. I am hoping to do a run of the local festivals in Queensland and will be selling prints and t shirts, along with painted timber crafted bowls and plates. I have a range of stickers and badges also. If you want to buy direct - go to my web site and email me with what you want.

At the end of April I am off to Armidale, I have been offered to exhibit in a 'Five Masters' exhibition - this is a great honour. Life is good. Will talk again soon. Lloyd