I Talk Through My Art and My Art Talks Through Me
Blacktown City temporary public art commission at the Max Webber Library
Blacktown City recognises the importance of public art in contributing to a vibrant, inclusive and resilient community.
Blacktown Arts presented I Talk Through My Art and My Art Talks Through Me an exhibition curated by Danny Eastwood’s son, Jamie Eastwood, featuring a broad selection of paintings, prints, cartoons and ceramics spanning over four decades of artistic practice. The 4 images displayed at Max Webber Library are selected from this exhibition.
Danny Eastwood is a proud Ngemba Elder and prolific artist practicing as a cartoonist, ceramicist and painter. He is well-known for his murals across Sydney walls, floors, hospitals and trains, and his iconic cartoons which have been featured in the Koori Mail for over 40 years.
His extensive art practice continues to be an inspiration to many generations of artists.
Until 31 August 2023
Max Webber Library
Free
All ages
Danny Eastwood is a descendant of the Ngemba group of western New South Wales. His mother came from Brewarrina. He was born and grew up in the Eora area of the Gadigal nation. For the past 43 years he has been a proud member of the Darug area of western Sydney.
Danny Eastwood has been working in the Blacktown community in western Sydney for over 30 years. At 68 years of age, he has retired three times – but unable to say no, Danny finds himself continuing at a tireless pace. He is also a very modest man who has won the Parliament of New South Wales Indigenous Art Prize in 2008 for his entry My Reconciliation, a pen, ink and watercolour on paper, depicting a scene from the back lane where he grew up as a small boy in Waterloo/Redfern. Danny has also received the NAIDOC Poster Award.
Each fortnight Danny has to complete a cartoon for the Koori Mail – something he’s been doing for the last 20 years. In between these deadlines he travels across Sydney teaching art to inmates from Long Bay jail, Aboriginal Elders, school kids and community groups, as well as working on new public art works.
Image: Danny Eastwood 2022, by Liza Moscatelli
Danny Eastwood, Return To Environment, 2020. Acrylic on canvas
“This painting depicts the return of animals and plants to Country after the destruction of the earth by developers and by mining”.
Danny Eastwood, Possums, 2023, Acrylic on canvas
“This painting depicts the Possums watching out for the surroundings to understand what becomes of them if the Country is destroyed by development. The hands surrounding them are coming out to support and look after them”.
Danny Eastwood, Emu, 2022. Acrylic on canvas
“This painting depicts all the colours of Australia. The Emu has Australian colours. The chicks are with their Mama getting entertained by the Kookaburra’s laughter and keeping them safe from danger. They are surrounded by different variety of plants”.
Danny Eastwood, Platypus, 2023. Acrylic on canvas
“Platypus is a very unique animal no longer existing in Blacktown. There were plenty of Platypus in Blacktown Eastern Creek and other creeks. They lived amongst the reeds in waters. The hands surrounding them are a sign of protection by people who care for clean water and the environment”.
Proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Blacktown City Council and Blacktown Arts.
