Leanne Tobin
Leanne Tobin is descended from the Dharug, the traditional Aboriginal people of Greater Western Sydney.
Leanne feels a strong sense of commitment and responsibility to the place of her family and what happened in this place, pre-settlement and post-settlement. Leanne works both as a primary teacher and educator teaching local Dharug histories,stories and land care to the wider public.
Leanne’s work acknowledges her mixed ancestry using Western techniques infused with Aboriginal symbolism and stories. Her art, regardless of subject matter, attempts to portray a human element or emotive quality to it and seeks to connect people through the common human feelings shared by all. Teaching about the land and its people is crucial because of the need for people living here today to understand the role of custodian in caretaking for country and ensuring that we look after, conserve and share what we have.
Her landscapes seek to convey the intrinsic spiritual connection of Indigenous people with the land, that which is often hidden beneath concrete and tar: the hidden stories of this place long ago.
Leanne has worked as an award winning Aboriginal artist for seventeen years. She was a finalist in the NSW Parliament Arts Prize for Indigenous Art 2005//2006/2007. Several local government organisations have purchased her work and she has won two major awards in 2006.
Leanne has recently finished 3 murals at local schools and works collaboratively as an Art teacher. Leanne at present is employed at Bligh Park through a Conservation Society grant to depict endangered and vulnerable species found on the school site. Leanne also conducts interpretive walks and has shared her skills in ochre painting with the arts group.
