2026 Artist Statements

Neami

Joanne Losovski enjoys painting, stating that, “being totally immersed in my art is so enjoyable”. Joanne has continued her journey exploring botanical water colour painting and recently has been experimenting with acrylic fluid pour paintings, which she finds incredibly interesting too. Joanne is a regular exhibitor with the Neami art programmes over the last four years. She is inspired by the great impressionist artists and is drawn to the use of colour and composition.

Sarah Donnell is influenced by the power of nature and our connection to it as can be evidenced in the illustrative themes, symbols and figures she employs which revolve around the Earth as the Mother, women and our relationship to the natural world.

Monty I’m 52 years old now and remember how much I loved to draw and make art when I was six years old. This led me to study art in high school and the creative process was a big part of my SACC Certificate. My practice involves sketching using graphite and ink, painting abstract acrylic sculptures. I love capturing real life and I’m proud of my work in this year’s exhibition. It took me some time to choose which pieces to enter and I finally chose two based on the positive feedback from my family who are very supportive of my arts practice.

Amanda Butterfield enjoys using different mediums, especially watercolour pencils. Amanda draws her inspiration from nature and animals. Amanda has been attending the Neami Comet art group in Port Adelaide for over 5 years. She also enjoys sharing with other artists and exhibiting her artwork.

Audrey Van Den Heuvel attends the Drawn Together Art group in Murray Bridge and quotes, ‘Expressing my feelings through art has always been important, probably my first love. I have studied at the SA School of Arts and for an Associate Diploma in Crafts and Interior Design. The group has given me friendships, support and encouragement to experiment with various art forms.

Skylight

Daniel Avis Originally began designing and drawing structures for D&D. This evolved into creating geometric designs digitally on Minecraft. I have been making art since early childhood, and I like digital art because the opportunities for design are so expansive. Art is a medium for me to create and share the things in my mind.

Leanna Wilson I have been creating art since high school. I like to use fabric in my artwork as well as abstract painting and finger stitching. Coming to an art group helps me relax. I made this quilt for my cats. Somewhere nice and warm for them in the winter. Working on this piece was very relaxing and helped me to forget about my problems. I hope people think it is very good artwork. Medium: socks, fabric, sequins, nail art gems, yarn thread.

Gareth Pennington – What inspired me was the history and resilience of our first nation people who went through 65,000 years of history from their dreamtime, today and the future through unity of all people in this country. It’s a celebration of their journey and culture and my acknowledgement, my acceptance. Their history is my history and my people. Combining Naidoc week and mindshare exhibition.

Harmony Manners – Watercolour painting is relaxing and lifts my mood. Roses are hard to paint but they look good when they’re finished.

Teresa Denney – Vibrational drawing of the heart and 3rd eye. It means going with the flow and trusting in the universe. Love, laugh and dare to dream. You are stronger than you think. I am a poet, musician and artist. I’ve been creating since I was young and it gives me peace and a sense of purpose.

Angelique Baker – I enjoy creating as it takes my mind off my pain. It’s something that engergises me. I love painting with my friends. Each year I paint for my family, gifting my works for birthday and Christmas gifts.

Brian Miller – I’ve been an artist for 20 years. I prefer acrylic and like art to help my concentration.

N – I have not done a large amount of art and am developing my technique to represent the world accurately. Leonardo Da Vinci said drawing is fundamental to all art.

LWB

Ash is a young artist who began creating at around age 9. Her creative work—including photography, pottery, music, posters, and more—is a way to express herself freely and without judgement. Through her art, Ash shares a message of resilience and individuality: life goes on, and everyone has their own way of being. Ash is one of the original Living Arts Photography Club members and has been working to refine her work over the past few years. She loves to capture sunsets and animals.

My name is Jasper. I’m 13 years old and I am proud to be neurodivergent. I am an Adelaide based artist, and I enjoy making stop motion films and drawing as a creative and emotional outlet. My art usually uses colour and metaphors to express emotion and doesn’t have much talking if any. I have always used art to express my emotions or experiences when I couldn’t say them with words- I would draw in different colours and types of ways I would use those colours. I hope one day my art inspires others to be seen and creative in the best quirky way for them! Jasper is also part of the South Australian Youth Advisory Group and contributed to the I (Don’t) Feel Heard SA YAG Speakers

Josh is a 10-year-old emerging artist of Barkindji heritage who lives on Kaurna Land. He is no stranger to sharing his work in exhibitions, having previously exhibited his artwork in the 2022, 2023 and 2024 ‘mindshare group Exhibition for Mental Health Month. He has also been working one to one with Resident Artist Mark to make and create in a broad range of mediums ranging from woodwork and ceramics as well as having special painting sessions with Aboriginal Resident Artist Natasha to continue honing his painting skills.
In 2024, Josh won the Nunga Kids art competition for Children’s Day, and he described how he paints because it is his culture and that learning about his culture makes him feel proud and strong. Throughout many of Josh’s artworks, you will feel his sense of pride and connection to his culture through his use of symbols and words in his language. In 2025 Josh also began attending the Living Arts Photography Club sessions and has shown a keen eye for curious details often missed by others rushing past.
Making art is also a great tool to help Josh relax and unwind.

Maddy is a 9-year-old creative, energetic, Barkindji girl. Like her brother, Josh, she loves to connect with her culture. Some of her pieces reflect memories from their Return to Country trips while others add her own sparkly elements to familiar imagery. She has contributed to artwork in other exhibitions with Living Arts over the past three years and worked regularly with Aboriginal Resident Artist Natasha on a range of different creative projects.

LWB – Collaborative Artwork

Bridging Now To Next
The National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. During the April School Holidays, we began working with young Aboriginal people on this canvas – inviting them to think about what they think of Reconciliation in Australia, what needs to be done to bridge the gap between the past and the future. We invited them to add their handprints and artwork to this piece, and to create their own bridge inspired artworks throughout our session together. Together we discussed pillars of reconciliation, these things that hold the bridge strong and sturdy as we walk side by side towards the future. The importance of staying strong in Culture, connected to community and to listen to the past as we look towards the future. This artwork continued to evolve during Reconciliation Week at community events such as Reconciliation in the West where more messages or pillars were gathered. Our Living Arts team are proud to develop and co-create community artworks like these during Reconciliation and NAIDOC Week each year – inviting community members from all ages, cultural backgrounds and abilities to reflect on these themes and yarn about the unique role we can all play as we move forward towards a kinder and more caring country.

Mockingbird Marino Family Tree (Collaborative Artwork by Marino Mockingbird Constellation)
Before building their nest, the Marino Mockingbird Constellation began by growing their own family tree. Young people and carers added handprints and fingerprints to represent each member of their constellation, creating a vibrant and personal portrait of their community. Autumnal colours were chosen to reflect the changing seasons, while the strong trunk and branches symbolise the enduring foundation of their Mockingbird Family. This artwork acknowledges the fluidity of relationships—especially for young people in care—while celebrating the strength and stability found within the supportive connections of a Mockingbird Constellation. Just like a tree that stands tall through every season, these bonds help each member grow, thrive, and feel rooted in belonging.

Hidden Conversation Flowers (Collaborative Artwork)
Inspired by the sunflower, as a symbol for people living with hidden disabilities, this project invited young people with a care experience to share the conversations they wish they could have with the adults in their world. Developed at the 2024 CREATE Voices in Action Conference and expanded at CREATES Leaving Care Expo later that year, these flowers capture their stories, hopes, worries and dreams. Take the time to wander through our garden of Hidden Conversation Flowers. Take in these messages, and reflect upon how you can hold space for conversations that may otherwise be left unsaid. We would like to thank Daniel Cao for his support in designing the posters which beautifully collate many of these messages into common themes.

I (don’t) Feel Heard (Mixed Media Speakers By the SA Youth Advisory Group)
These two speakers were transformed during our July 2025 SA Youth Advisory Group session. We asked them “what does it feel and look like when you do feel heard and when you don’t feel heard”. Young people quickly, and enthusiastically, set about destroying one of the speakers – citing the frustration and anger they feel when the adults employed to support them are not listening to them. This was then reassembled and covered with messages reflecting the visceral internal and external reactions many of our young people experience when they don’t feel heard. The other speaker reflects how it feels to be heard, seen and have people engage in their stories. It speaks to feeling supported and having someone hold space for the stories that may otherwise be overlooked, unheard or forgotten. Messages on the plinth surrounding these speakers are also from these YAG members, reflecting on the importance of involving them in decision making conversations and taking the time to understand their interests, hopes and dreams.