LIN ONUS
Lin Onus was a proud Yorta Yorta man who painted the country he loved including the Dandenong Ranges, Barmah Forest on the Murray River and Central Arnhem Land.
William McLintock Onus, also known as Lin Burralung McLintock Onus had both Aboriginal and Scottish heritage. A Melbourne resident, Lin was also a sculptor, printmaker, teacher, writer and a political activist who experienced racism from an early age as a young Aboriginal man in 1950 and 1960’s Australia.
Working first as a mechanic and spray painter, and with his father in the family business making boomerangs and Aboriginal artefacts. Lin was a self-taught artist who forged his own path merging photorealism with indigenous imagery after a visit to central Arnhem Land and was a forerunner in the contemporary Aboriginal art world. Among many awards he received the National Aboriginal Art Award in 1988 and became a Member of the Order of Australia, A.M., in 1993. Tragically Lin Onus died of a heart attack at the age of just 47 in 1996.
Lin Onus and Brett Lichtenstein never met but following his death, Lin’s family contacted Brett in relation to some art conservation work. This connection led to Brett and Melissa capturing and digitising 80 of Lin’s artworks for the family and subsequently 35 of Lin Onus’ artworks have been made into limited edition, fine art reproductions.
Although Brett never met Lin, he greatly admired his work, his activism and life story.
“I hope that…. Aboriginal people will look back on these times as the foundation of a thriving and egalitarian artistic society. I am excited and honoured to be part of that process” Lin Onus 1990.
Lin straddled both cultures, which is evident in his artwork; the European landscape style coupled with the placement of animals with Aboriginal cross hatching or “rarrking”.
Tragically Lin passed away just as his career was receiving critical acclaim and he had built a large following for his artwork and activism. Lin Onus artworks now hang in galleries and collections around Australia, the UK, Europe, USA, Canada and Asia.
Lin Onus’ artworks have continued to appreciate in value since his death nearly 30 years ago. Brett, and now Melissa, continue to honour Lin’s memory through their limited edition, fine art reproductions.