John Turnbull Language: Anaiwan Language Group
John is a well-known and respected artist. Each piece of John’s art expresses his Kamilaroi aboriginal heritage, his spirituality and traditions of his people. John works with many mediums including terracotta, canvas, emu eggs and paperbark.
His people’s traditional country is in the Inverell region of New South Wales though he now resides in Southeast Queensland.
John produces artworks using different mediums and materials. John paints on canvas, pottery, wood and paper. John even painted a surfboard for his client. He enjoys painting animals on bright backgrounds using the canvas as a non-written form of communication, telling stories that are relevant to him and his people.
John has been deeply involved with the Reconciliation movement.
John often supports local Reconciliation group by supplying artworks for fundraising.
The Gold Coast City Council has bought painting from John to send to China as part of their sister cities program. John often supports other local charities and his extended family as he hopes to pass on the benefits that come from his art and the lifestyle. John hopes to portray aspects of his childhood, his life as it is no w and what he hopes for his children and family for the future in his art. He has been taught by older relatives from other language groups which makes his works even more diverse. John likes to mix styles as he sees his art as an expression of his Aboriginal Spirituality. His artwork is his means of communicating his aboriginality to the wider community. Through his art he expresses who he is. It gives him an opportunity to promote awareness of Aboriginal Culture.
John’s work is widely sought after due to the earthy tones and distinct traditional qualities his artwork depicts.John’s work has been featured in significant number of displays and exhibitions including:
• Wild Art ‘97
• Royal Queensland Art Society–Art Show- ‘98
• Art and Soul Festival 1999
• World Environment Day-Gecko 2000, 2001
• Environment and Sustainable Living Fair-Brisbane 2001
• Naidoc 2001 Exhibition held in collaboration with other Gold Coast Indigenous Artists-Robina Community Art Gallery
• Naidoc Family Day 2001
• Australia’s Parliament House
• Currently-Aboriginal Keeping Place-Armidale NSW