Australian Aboriginal Artist Lloyd Hornsby Gawura

Due to Public Demand I am opening my studio

2011-09-27T02:36:00.000-07:00

Starting November 2011................

Due to public demand I have decided to open my art studio and gallery the first and last week-end of every month from 11am - 4pm.
Individual and Group Bookings are essential.....

Email: art@yuinart.com

Log on through the Web Site: www.yuinart.com

Or Phone direct: (07) 38861785 or 0403383080

Studio: 52 Pine River Drive Murrumba Downs Q 4503

View my latest creations in my studio gallery

Artist talk on artwork and discussion on Aboriginal Culture and Art Protocols

Participate in a Master Class ( fees apply - enquire when booking)

Light refreshments over a chat

Range of products are for sale:

- Hand painted caps - wooden plates and bowls - boomerangs -

- Original artwork

- Limited Edition Prints

I look forward to meeting you at my studio and sharing my stories and my artworks.

Lloyd Hornsby Gawura.

2011 NW Queensland Workshops - Outstanding

2011-09-27T02:30:00.000-07:00

Overview:

The first day of the program at Julia Creek, Saturday 25th June, nobody turned up. We were very disappointed thinking our advertising had been unsuccessful. About 2pm, someone walked past and advised us the McKinlay Races were on and everyone in town had gone to that event. Day two and Day three were outstanding.

After day one the program has been very successful; in that we have had higher than anticipated numbers attend each session, with a high level of participation by all involved. Next time we do this, we will need to make more of a mention about the programs being Free of Charge. Generally PCYC events are charged at between $50 and $80. Ours was totally free of charge. This seemed to cause some confusion on day one of each town until word got around.

Participants have in the main been Indigenous, with a number of non Indigenous attending also. The age range has been from prep to Grand Parents, with a few Grey Nomads thrown in for good measure.

The activities have been age appropriate and covered individual art works, group art activity, and physical activity with PCYC staff, bush tucker walks, singing and of course eating, which seemed to happen all day.

The 29th June at Cloncurry, the official opening was held at the PCYC Hall, which included an official opening by the Mayor, followed by a traditional lunch cooked by local Aboriginal Hombre Major. The lunch went really well. The Mayor officially welcomed the programme supported by the elders from the community and representatives from all of the stakeholders and sponsors.

Meagan Holley, Acting Sergeant, Relief Branch Manager from Cloncurry PCYC and her staff have been outstanding. I cannot say enough about their participation and assistance. Cloncurry PCYC participated in Julia Creek, Cloncurry and Dajara, conducting sporting activities and cooking for the kids and of course assisting with the big clean up at the end of the day.

Hombre Major a local Cloncurry Kalkadoon Aboriginal assisted me with the art workshops, assisted with cooking, talked culture and local stories and played a mean guitar and dig. The children responded very well to him, and I certainly appreciated his assistance and dedication to the program. I think I have made a life long friend in Hombre.

The most surprising town to date was Dajara. We were advised that we would get about 20 people. We had excellent participation with elders and parents of the children, with a lot of small children. The parents have asked for assistance to set up an art centre. I have agreed to assist them. I noted about 6 of the parents have great art potential.

Mt Isa PCYC assisted us with Boulia and Mt Isa, by sending two support officers each day.

The Objective:

Through consultation with local elders in the Mt Isa, Cannington areas there was community concern regarding the withdrawal of funding for the community by government for culturally appropriate activities to engage the younger community. The community elders asked for diversionary programs for young Indigenous people to address antisocial activities, school absence, job retention to give the next generation purpose within their communities.

Our objectives will be met for each of the 5 towns. In total 285% more people attended than projected.
Each day has been full on. The facilitators have loved it, and the participants have had the best time. I have a number of nice art pieces completed by the participants to display at the open day.

Everyone involved in the program is very, very grateful to BHP Billiton for the funding support, it has been money well spent.

Activities:

Art

· Individual canvas, or painting a boomerang or sand painting
· Community art piece. Large canvas 2 x 2 mt done as a collective with all participants
· Story Telling to interpret into art
· Cultural stories

Cultural:

Bush tucker walks
Kalkadoon story telling
Kalkadoon stories/culture
Protocol/Australian Aboriginal Culture general
Music – Dig – Clap sticks – guitar
Singing
Boomerang throwing

Sport:

Jumping Castle
Boxing
Games appropriate to age

Food:

Lunch was supplied each day, mainly a sausage sizzle with a special traditional lunch for the guests (Murri Cut) and participants for the official opening. Fruit, drinks and vegemite sandwiches are handed out all day; the children seemed to be hungry all the time.

Attendance:

Julia Creek:
Day 1: 0 - Races were on
Day 2: 25
Day 3: 25
Cloncurry:
Day 1: 35
Day 2: 150 – official opening had extra guests
Day 3: 85
Dajara:
Day 1: 45 – 11 adults and 34 children
Day 2: 50
Day 3: 20 – lower numbers due to funeral
Boulia:
Day 1: 30
Day 2: 37
Day 3: 25
Mt Isa:
Day 1: 20
Day 2: Approx 180 – In conjunction with the NAIDOC Celebration
Day 3: 10

In addition to the three day workshop in Mt Isa I conducted 2 x 1 day clay workshop with children from the local Special Needs School. There were 27 children in attendance at these workshops.

Open Day:

The Educational Open Day with employers within the district was held at the Mt Isa TAFE grounds on Saturday 16th July the week after the School Holiday workshops. There were approximately 250 visitors on the day. This disappointing attendance was owing to a competitive event “Big Day Out” hosted by PCYC Mt Isa that ran the same time as our Open Day.

Open Day Participants were as follows:

Mt Isa TAFE
Dept. of Communities
BHP Billiton
Isa Skills
University of Southern Queensland
PCYC Cloncurry
PCYC Mt Isa
Defence Department
Yuinart
4LM – outside broadcast
Jumping Castle (PCYC, Cloncurry)
XTRATA
Main Roads
James Cook University
BBQ/Drinks coordinated by Mt Isa TAFE
Face Painting

Research and data collection:

Our original estimate for workshop participants was 200. A total of 764 participants engaged in workshops and the various activities offered at each of the towns. A further 250 people visited the Mt Isa TAFE for our open day to look at the artworks on display and talk to the various stall holders. The total public interactions being 1014 people well exceeded our expectations.

While we had budgeted for 200 paintings, we had a contingency plan in place in case we had more people engage in artworks. I had purchased 350 canvases along with 6 Major 2mt x 2 mt canvases together with 300 boomerangs, and 300 Sand paintings. We had to re-order 300 more sand paintings during the tour. Our contingency funding and all of our spare equipment was used with the 764 participants. The Department of Communities sponsored one day in each town, transport to the event and food, being a sausage sizzle, drinks and fruit. This sponsorship arrangement allowed us to have enough funds to feed the additional people each day.

The age groups that participated in the workshops ranged from Pre School to adults and elders. The babies (pre-schoolers) in the main ate the paint and interacted in the sporting activities while the parents painted and engaged in the various activities.

Feedback in each town was simular.
- This is fantastic
- Can you come back next year
- We need to do more of this
- Can’t you stay longer

I identified that there are a number of very good artists in each of these towns. A lack of money, facilities and materials stand in their way to set up a co-operative to channel their art through to sales. I have advised the elders in each of the towns, I will look into how we can assist them to set up a co-op for their art.

Most participants were very protective of their artworks and did not want to leave it with me for exhibiting. Some did, and it was admired by the public at Mt Isa. Dajarra in particular took a few canvases and materials to do follow up workshops with some of the town’s artist. This is being co-ordinated by one of the local artist, affectionately known as ‘Shorty’.
Since the workshops have been completed I have had ongoing communication with Shorty on a range of community art related topics.

On the Road to Mt Isa and Townsville

2010-12-10T03:16:00.000-08:00

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

2010-04-21T03:46:00.000-07:00

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

Community Project at Pine Rivers State School

2009-09-21T02:58:00.000-07:00

I am just writing about my day at the PRSS, Strathpine. my day started with the groundsman telling me that I am not suppose to be on site as he had not been told that I would be there today. My reply was that the mural had to be completed by the end of the week as it is part of my communities project for this semester so as I can graduate in a bachelor of contemporary indigenous art. I told him if I go, I wont be back to finish it. then he can explain to the principle why it is not finished. I got to stay and had a very good session, i feel real comfortable with the story I am telling. its the campfire story, where I am using a Koori Dreamtime story, where the symbols I have used are two goanna's going in opposite direction to each other in a large community symbol. Around it are the spirits of children and there teachers, symbolising that the campfire is a place of learning, character building and preparing oneself for the future. As this is my first blog about what I am doing at PRSS I intend to keep you updated with what I do each week.

2008 Update

2008-10-23T17:02:00.000-07:00

2008 is nearly gone, and what a busy six months it has been since I last wrote on my Blogg. I am coming to the end of second semester year 2 of my degree at Griffith University South Bank. The longer I am here the easier it becomes. Exams and final assignments are paramount at present, so everything else has to just wait. Only one more year to go to complete my course.

Celebrating Mr Rudd’s Apology to all first Australians
When he delivered the national apology on Wednesday 13th February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd also promised practical measures to improve Indigenous lives. There is now debate over what the priorities should be when there are so many areas of disadvantage and dysfunction in Australia's Indigenous communities.
When Mr Rudd addressed Federal Parliament, he said the symbolism of reconciliation needed to be accompanied by substance - the practical measures that will hopefully improve the lives of Indigenous Australians.
Among the targets mentioned were halving the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians when it comes to literacy, numeracy, and employment opportunities, closing the 17-year life expectancy gap and reducing infant mortality rates. The question now being raised is where a good starting point to achieve some of these targets might be.
Tamara Mackean, the president of the Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association, is optimistic that a bipartisan approach will make a difference.” I think an approach that seeks to just get on with the business is going to be the key to moving things forward." my way to move things forward was to capture this moment on canvas for all Indigenous Australians.
The apology overwhelmed my family and me. The apology meant that the injustices were acknowledged; it was the finest thing that could happen to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples and personally for our family. As an artist I have expressed my feelings on behalf of all first Australians living and those who have passed on. Drawing on the diverse lineages of cultural history and tradition across Australia I considered Parliament House as an important setting for the transformation of attitudes, fostering new dialogues, new engagements and new social and cultural milieus.
This piece of work ‘The Apology’ is conceptually rigorous, with consideration from the desert to the coast, living and past first Australians and evokes communal celebration. It is a balanced piece of artwork where I have taken white symbolism and integrated it with Indigenous symbols. I have incorporated my traditional lands iconic Gulaga Mountain and the most noted icon in Australia, Uluru, in respect for the desert people.

‘To just get on with business’ is a partnership I have established with the Heart Foundation. This celebration painting ‘The Apology’ was specifically painted for the Heart Foundation’s second East Coast Aboriginal Art Exhibition to be held at the State Library of Queensland from Tuesday 7th October to 14th October 2008. Funds raised through the sale of artwork will go exclusively towards funding a Heart Foundation Research Grant to improve the heart health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Six other well known East Coast Aboriginal Artists will contribute outstanding art work to this most worthy cause; Laurie Nilsen, Jennifer Herd, my beautiful daughter Raquel Jackson, Deb Taylor, Peter Mulcahy and Bianca Beetson. All work on display will be for sale and each artist will donate a commission of 25% from each piece sold. There will be a special Art Auction held during the Exhibition Cocktail Party on Friday 10th October. Each artist has donated a piece of artwork with all proceeds of the Auction going to the Heart Foundation.
The Heart Foundation saves lives and improves health through funding world-class cardiovascular research, guidelines for health professionals, informing the public and assisting people with cardiovascular disease. As a charity, the Heart Foundation relies on donations and gifts in wills to continue its lifesaving research, education and health promotion work.
The apology, and the Heart Foundation give a very meaningful purpose to the work I am doing, and is my way of ‘just getting on with business’, reinforcing the statement made by Mr Rudd ‘the symbolism of reconciliation needed to be accompanied by substance’.

I have posted this piece of work on the web site for all to see.

My next series of paintings
I am currently working on a new series of work called “On the Surface”
‘What does it mean to truly understand another person? I believe it is through empathy, the process by which we take the place of another, near or far, known or unknown. Empathy bridges the distance between human experiences, (Black and White) binding us to another in deeply personal ways that reflect our potential for shared experience and compassion. It is with this understanding that I will commit paint to canvas to develop my new series called ‘On the Surface’ it is my aim to have this series completed for my next major exhibition in 2009.

Undurba 30th Anniversary
I have spent the last couple of months working with Marilyn Carson - Undurba Indigenous Liaison Teacher and 75 Indigenous and Non Indigenous Children from Prep to Year 7 in preparation for the schools 30th Anniversary Celebrations. The children have painted their special message on canvas to be exhibited on the day.
It has been an interesting and rewarding exercise for me. There are 17 Aboriginal Children and 58 non Aboriginal Children taking part in the "Thank the Community Art Program". The Aboriginal children have learnt about culture, Aboriginal Art technics and protocols, and the non-Indigenous children have learnt understanding of Aboriginal culture and to have more tolerance through this understanding. The 58 non-indigenous children were chosen because of their artistic ability. The program has been so successful for the children, the Indigenous Liaison Officer Marilyn Carson, is trying to find funding to have an ongoing cultural program in the school for 2009. I have loved working with the children; the outcome has just been fabulous, with a couple of the children destined for bigger and better things with their art ability.

My exhibition at the State Library- 2008 Heart Foundation East Coast Aboriginal Art Exhibition.

The Art Exhibition which celebrates the strength, tenacity and generosity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders communities in taking a stand to join the fight against heart disease.
The Heart Foundation believes that by making real improvements in Indigenous heart health, Queensland can go a long way to closing the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. This year there were 6 other artists involved Raquel Jackson, Bianca Beetson, Jennifer Herd, Laurie Nilsen, Deb Taylor and Peter Mulcahy. There was a great selection of art on display and for sale; it just keeps getting better each year. Read the review by noted art writer Timothy Morrell on my web site under what’s new on the home page.

June 2008 Update

2008-06-10T18:21:00.000-07:00

I have had a very busy 6 months since I last updated my Blogg. I had my art work excepted for the Pine Rivers Regional Art Gallery Exhibition in May, along with acceptance into The Churchie exhibition. I am making new friends along the way through these exhibitions.

I have a couple of combined exhibitions coming up in the next six months. I will be exhibiting at the Boboa Gallery in Latrobe Terrace, Brisbane on Saturday 21st June, and at the Queensland State Library from the 7th October until 14th October. The State Library exhibition will be raising funds for the Heart Foundation Indigenous Heart Research Programs.

I have signed up to go back to Griffith University in semester two, to finish year 2 of my degree. I have had a short break to sort out my business interests, but now it is back to the grind.

The apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by Kevin Rudd on behalf of the Parliment was a very fine thing to happen earlier this year. Keep your eye open for my latest creation in celebration of this wonderful event. This painting will be launched September 2008.

My Journey Continues - January 2008

2008-01-31T18:04:00.000-08:00

My Journey continues – January 2008
At the age of 60 my learning is continuing today through the discovery of Aboriginal culture and life. Through the passing down of stories and life experiences, all are adding to the richness of my understanding. Aboriginal culture is focused on recording the origins of life (Dreamtime). My life’s journey has been one of turmoil, anger and emotional highs and lows. Being part of the stolen generation has taken me from the point of anger for being denied the experience of being Aboriginal, to understanding why these choices were made. This part of my journey left me struggling for some time with my emotions.This loss of culture evoked some of my deepest feelings, to be reflected through my painting of Creation, Warrior Dreaming, Spirit of Innocence and Father Spirit being part of my Celestial Series and my linking to the Dreamtime. In support of the healing process for the generation of Aboriginal children, mothers, fathers and families of the Stolen Generation, I have committed to canvas a series of paintings depicting the lost spirits of Aboriginal Children. The next stage of my journey took me to a different level of understanding of the justice system, touching me to my inner core; where I could envisage what life was like before first contact to what had been endured over the past two hundred years. So profound was the effect on me I committed this image to canvas. I created Aboriginal Lore.These pieces of art have had a profound effect on white Australians who have viewed this work through my exhibitions. The general comment from the public was that it made the viewer feel the same connection to the past as the artist by the way the image evoked their emotions. This artwork also had a profound effect on close and distant family members. Once they saw this work, they realised my deep connection to my Aboriginality, and are now walking with me in support. What does it mean to truly understand another person? I believe it is through empathy, the process by which we take the place of another, near or far, known or unknown. Empathy bridges the distance between human experiences, (Black and White) binding us to another in deeply personal ways that reflect our potential for shared experience and compassion.

We have to know our history; we are people of our generation. We can look back with admiration, and hope to have some of those qualities that help us to remain true to our time. We have to acknowledge the complexities of our generation – our status and our connections. Through the approval of my community and family it has been acknowledged in my art that I have shown the positive of the dreamtime and how it was for the past 60,000years – I have endeavoured to carry on the age old tradition of telling Dreamtime and Historical stories through my art, in a passive mode. My journey into the future will be reflected in my next series of paintings ’Beneath the surface’.

More on My Journey

2007-06-06T22:29:00.000-07:00

Since starting university in March, the year has gone by very quickly. I have experienced a range of emotions learning about the origins of aboriginal society and culture. It is a very exciting time in my life. These experiences have allowed me to experiment and broaden my artistic skills and abilities. I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and view the new editions I have just released. www.yuinart.com

Being part of the Griffith University community, a number of doors have opened for me. I was fortunate enough to be chosen to read for a part, and selected to perform in a short film called “The Walk”. The film was written by one of the Griffith University aboriginal lecturers, Marcus Waters, and tells of a story about racism between back and white and black and black. The film was shot at Beenleigh South Queensland on a cane farm not far from the coast. I play the part of the redneck farmer, with very little tolerance for the aboriginal boy dating my daughter. The film is currently being edited and should be available for release in New Zealand later on in the year.

I have also had the privilege of being part of the design team for the external wall of the new state library. The design measures 11mt x 7mt. The art team carved the design into panels of Hebel and Red Wood Timber. The panels will be moved to the Library and erected by September 2006. The team of aboriginal artists will have their names engraved into a brass plaque and placed near the wall.

Web Site you must visit. www.yuinart.com

2007-06-06T22:21:00.000-07:00

Reflections on my journey

2007-06-06T21:50:00.000-07:00

My reflection task is going to be about my journey covering pre-contact and first contact. This journey will take into account my beliefs, ideas, knowledge and values, from abstract concepts to concrete experiences. I will be taking my experiences throughout my life, up to the point of my first contact as an aboriginal in my mid fifties. Challenging some of my existing beliefs and having some of those beliefs affirmed. My reflection will take you through my personal growth and development and how that has impacted on my art practices and the impact on the people around me.

Throughout my life I was unaware that I was growing up with Aboriginals, this being my family and relatives. Due to the Government stolen generation policy, my grandparents and parents chose to hide this fact, and presented our collective family as Maori. I struggled all my life trying to connect with the Maori culture, where on numerous occasions I commented to my family that I felt more aligned to the aboriginal culture. It was through my eldest daughter Amanda’s family research, at the age of 55, that I was to be told I was of Anglo-Chinese-Aboriginal heritage. This news was received with great emotion.

My very first contact as an aboriginal man with the local community, being the Zillmere Community administrator, was a very negative experience where I was brushed off and told to go elsewhere for assistance. Through the family research, I was able to locate my grandmother’s brother’s family (Ahoy) in Armidale. To make first contact with this arm of my family, I made several phone calls with no response, undeterred I got into my car and drove to Armidale to meet with the family face to face. This initial experience was also negative, as my cousin Colin Ahoy implied that I was only following my Aboriginal roots to get onto the funding bandwagon. Both first contact experiences left me feeling disillusioned and confused. Three years on, I am
able to reflect on these instances with a greater degree of understanding and knowledge why the past events played out the way they did. Today I have an excellent relationship with the family in Armidale and with the local community in Brisbane.

My understanding of this first contact situation has come about from a number of scenarios and experiences, which has enabled me to grow my level of understanding through education and involvement with family and community. With the understanding of my Aboriginality came the understanding of how to communicate in a community environment giving all parties, family and community, common ground on which to come together. This understanding came from a number of areas such as my relationship with a police Aboriginal liaison officer Paul Coolwell, who in turn was my referee into QCA’s BOACIA program.

My learning continued and is continuing today through the discovery of Aboriginal culture and life within the University environment. Lecturers and fellow students passing down of stories and their life experiences, together with the formal studies are adding to the richness of my understanding. This life’s journey has been one of turmoil, anger and emotional highs and lows. This knowledge has taken me from the point of anger towards my mother and grandmother for denying me the experience of being Aboriginal, to understanding why they made these choices. To the sheer relief of not being subjected to the horrific injustices experienced by others who where forcibly removed from their families and denied a reasonable life and education. Both of these scenarios left me struggling for some time with my emotions.

This loss of culture evoked some of my deepest feelings, to be reflected through my painting of Creation, Warrior Dreaming, Spirit of Innocence and Father Spirit being part of my Celestial Series and my linking to the Dreamtime. Go to my Web site www.yuinart.com These pieces of art have had a profound

effect on white Australians who have viewed this work through my exhibitions. The general comment from the public was that it made the viewer feel the same connection to the art as the artist by the way it evoked their emotions. This artwork also had a profound effect on close and distant family members. Once they saw this work, they realised my deep connection to my Aboriginality, and are now walking with me in support.

The next stage of my journey took me to a different level of understanding and reflection with my involvement in the death in custody of Doomadgee and the meetings I attended through the support group. My involvement in presenting a partition outlining the message of dissatisfaction of the justice system to the Premier of Queensland touched me to my inner core. Throughout the semester I was also touched by our class on Pre-contact and First contact, where I could envisage what life was like before first contact to what had been endured over the past two hundred years. So profound was the effect on me I almost felt possessed to put this image in my head onto canvas. I created Aboriginal Lore on canvas. Throughout the semester I visited the exhibition on Broken Links. In support of the healing process for the generation of Aboriginal children, mothers, fathers and families of the Stolen Generation, I have committed to canvas a series of paintings depicting the lost spirits of Aboriginal Children. The first of this series has been completed.
These major events through Aboriginal history (post contact), has given me the impulse to record these stories of white injustice to canvas, as seen with my latest art piece Spirit Stolen.

In summary my relatively new experience with my Aboriginality has had my opinions shifted from a point of ignorance to a much-tempered realistic point of understanding. It is still with an element of frustration that I struggle with the inequalities and injustice experienced by Aboriginals from all walks of life. The racism within the white community towards Aboriginals and the racism within the Aboriginal community towards their own has me wondering where I fit into this turmoil. My journey has me committed to making a difference by passing on my life experiences through my ability to put these stories to canvas.