Lin Onus
Born in 1948, Lin Onus expresses his interest in his culture through an overt self-identification[1] process. His style was influenced by other indigenous artists, including: Ronald Bull, Revel Cooper and Albert Namatjira.
His most prolific art came from the era of the reconciliation. Onus started painting in 1970, coinciding with both the acknowledgment of Aboriginal Art in Australia and the emergence of the political voice of Aboriginal people on land rights and equal opportunity[2]. His paintings and other artworks formed a sort of hybrid form, which drew on both his heritage and his personal experiences. Onus’ ability to tell stories through his art enabled him to reach a wider Western audience. Along with his political references and views, Onus also held a humour that was expressed within his works. Altering attitudes requires a more subtle and mature form of communication[3], and this is what Onus perceived to do with his art. Using humour allowed him to approach certain views in a gentler fashion, rather than the artwork “shouting” it’s opinions at the viewer.
His pivotal role in the emergence and recognition of urban Aboriginal art made Onus one of the most influential contemporary Indigenous artists. Onus flourished on challenging the Eurocentric views of history, and opted to create his own alternative vision[4].
Lin Onus, Birth of Two Pups, 1989
[1] Gilchrist, S, National Gallery of Australia: Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Art, p. 234
[2] Ladds, A, The Reconciler, http://www.theblurb.com.au/Issue27/LinOnus.htm
[3] The White Hat Guide to Lin Onus, http://www.whitehat.com.au/melbourne/People/Onus.asp
[4] Newstead, A, Lin Onus, 2011, http://www.aboriginalartresource.com/artwork-reviews/lin-onus-1948-1996
