Cessnock Regional Art Gallery’s next exhibition will celebrate the life and art of one of Australia’s most prominent Indigenous painters, Les Elvin.
The award-winning Cessnock artist passed away in August 2015, aged 77.
Through his paintings, teaching and mentorship, the man known as ‘Uncle Les’ left an invaluable legacy to Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians alike.
As a proud descendant of the Wanaruah people of the Lower Hunter, Elvin was committed to imparting knowledge of this culture in a way that empowered and inspired Aboriginal people in his community, while also fostering an understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities of the significance and value of Aboriginal heritage.
Elvin received many awards in his lifetime, including National Artist of the Year at the NAIDOC Week Awards in 2008.
The exhibition – titled I Won’t Be Long: A Tribute to Les Elvin is centred on his magnificent four last works. These works through masterful use of colour and design reveal an artist at the peak of his creative powers.
The exhibition includes works by Elvin’s daughter Lesley Salem and gradnchildren Alex, Tamar and Tamika Elvin, who all are successful artists in their own right.
Also included in the exhibition are works by Saretta Fielding and Justin Ridgeway.
I Won’t Be Long: A Tribute to Les Elvin will run at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery from April 20 to June 5.
An official opening will take place on April 23 at 5pm.
