Owen Lyons is a Wiradjuri artist and resident of Wagga Wagga. He will give a brief presentation of his work on Wednesday December 7 at 3.45pm. A selection of his paintings will be exhibited in the HR Gallop Gallery for the duration of the Symposium.

Image above: Wagga Wagga, Owen Lyons, large-format work commissioned by State MP for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr.

The following is taken from his website:

I am a Wiradjuri man, born in Narrandera, New South Wales, on Wiradjuri country, into a family of 10 children.

We lived with my mum and dad at the bottom of the Sandhills in Narrandera, at a place known affectionately as “Down The Lane”. 

My father worked on the shire council and my mum was a stay at home mother who kept our corrugated tin sheeted home immaculately clean.

I could not of ask for a better childhood growing up 250 meters from the Murrumbidgee River. Spending time with my cousins on the river down at “Koories Beach” and playing on the Sandhills are memories I will never forget.

Growing into a young man I was a little rowdy and hit the grog spending a lot of time with my brother and mates hitting the pubs in our little town. During this time I worked a few jobs like at the local school, at the Challenge Foundation which was an organisation for young adults with disabilities. I also worked in the shearing sheds which was a great experience I loved this lifestyle – young, free and lots of travel!

At age 27 I settled down and started raising my own family. I have two daughters and a son and am also now a proud grandfather.

My son has schizophrenia and his mental illness is probably what really led me to my career in art. I had to find a way to cope with my sons illness, and my art became my outlet to deal with the chaos and havoc that was now part of our home. My son now lives independently in Wagga Wagga, and is still much loved and comes home regularly for visits.

My passion is helping people who suffer from mental illness or substance abuse, and helping those people who are in the role of carer to those people.

Provenance – invited artist.