Kaptn Koori, 1985. Gouache and ink on illustration board. accessed from: whitehat.com.au

Ideas for teaching: Identity and belonging.

Barmah Forest, 1994. Synthetic polymerrpaint on linen.

Accessed from:artnomad.com.au

Topics for discussion: isolation, loss, differences, why he might have painted this.

Michael and I are just slipping down to the pub for a minute, 1992. Gouache on illustration board.Accessed from: whitehat.com.au

Ideas for teaching: what do you notice about this painting? How is it different to other works?

Ongoing adventures of X and Ray (X and Ray in the garden of earthly delight). 1994-5. Gouache with gold leaf on illustration board. Accessed from: fireworksgallery.com.au

Ideas for teaching: why is this an ongoing adventure? What do you think they are looking for? They are an unusual duo.

Morumbeeja Pitoa (floods and moonlight) 1993. Oil on canvas.

Accessed from: australianfinearteditions.com

Ideas for discussion: what do you like about this picture? What emotion do you think Lin Onus was trying to tell us?

Stingrays also dream of flying , 1995. Synthetic polymer paint on canvas.

Accessed from: theage.com.au

Ideas for teaching: dreams and myths, as Lin Onus was known for these things.

Fruit Bats 1991. 95 fibreglasspolychromed bats, polychromed wooden discs, Hills hoist.

Accessed from: hive.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

Currently at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney.

Road to Redfern1988. Synthetic Polymer paint on canvas.

Accessed from: australianfinearteditions.com

Ideas for teaching: Aboriginal culture, colours associated with the land.

Jimmy’s Billabong, 1988. Synthetic polymer paint on canvas. National Gallery of AustraliaAccessed from: visitvictoria.comIdeas for teaching: the landscape, who Jimmy might be, introduction to painting of the landscape.

Ginger and my third wife approach the roundabout, 1994. synthetic polymer paint on canvas.

Accessed from: theage.com.au

Ideas for teaching:The merging of two cultures, what do you notice about the differences? Students creating their own merging of cultures painting.

Bunpa near Malwan, 1992. Synthetic polymer paint on canvas.Accessed from: soyka62.livejournal.com

Ideas for teaching: teaching in context. Students could take photos of their landscape and then add to it, like Onus has with his butterflies.

Birth, 1989. Synthetic polymer paint on fibreglass, wire, metal.

Accessed from: cs.nga.gov.au

Ideas for teaching: students could make their own animal out of wire and then paper mache over it and paint it in what they consider to be their own colours.

Garkman, 1991, screenprint on paper.

Accessed from:artreview.com.au

Ideas for teaching/creating: students could paint under the sea theme, based on Garkman with Aboriginal style designs on the animals.

Dislocation, 1986. Linocut on paper.

Accessed from: cooeeart.com.au

Ideas for teaching: why might Lin have drawn this? What does the title have to do with the heading? Why might he be feeling this way? Students could then draw how they were feeling and interpret others drawings.

Pawns, 1986. linocut on paper.

Accessed from: cooeeart.com.au. This is apart of Onus’ private collection.

Discussion topics: why might Lin have drawn this? Why might he have felt this way?

Weekend at Garmedi, 1988. Synthetic, polymer paint on Canvas,

Accessed from: australianfinearteditions.com

Ideas for art appreciation: students could paint a picture of their weekends and how their own cultures influenced them. The class could then create a mural of all the works.

Weekend at Garmedi 2, 1988. Synthetic polymer paint on canvas. Accessed from: australianfinearteditions.comIdeas for teaching: Aboriginal art in context. Students could practice drawing Aboriginal style art.

My personal farvourites are X and Ray’s adventures, in which there are a few paintings off. I like the idea that they are continuously looking and searching, as an unlikely duo. Here, Onus uses his own dog, who was a part dingo as his model. I like that the dog’s companion is a stingray as they are an unlikely duo. I also believe that these characters are the most likely to interest students.

Accessed from:www.fireworksgallery.com.auThe next few slides are all from this website.They are all versions of X and Rays adventures.

The key ideas that we want students to understand are:

Why Lin Onus created his work,

How he wanted to make people feel,

What he hoped to accomplish,

and if his dreams were ever accomplished.

Lin Onus leaves behind a legacy that we can fill by bridging the gap between cultures. By educating today’s generations, we are fulfilling his wishes.