This month’s Featured Artist is no stranger to Art Therapy. We’ve written about her wonderful work in the past about how she created a program to help indigenous women in Australia recover from trauma. You can read her story and see pictures of the women she helped. It’s a truly inspiring story and one that we suggest you read for yourself. You can also learn more about Lee from our featured interview below.
Image Gallery from Lee George
Interview with Featured Artist: Lee George
1a. Can you give the readers a bio about who you are, where you’re from, what you do, etc?
My people come from Magnetic Island, North Queensland. I am 43 years old, a social worker and Indigenous artist. I come from a big family, there is a big mob of us (11).
1b. Can you talk about your work with indigenous women, and specifically the support you provide women in Australia?
Presently I work within the Domestic Violence sector as a DV Counsellor, supporting and advocating on behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who experience domestic and familial violence. Its a difficult job, but one that is rewarding. A lot of our women (including myself) endure lives filled with violence and trauma, so its an honor for me to listen to their experiences, hopes and dreams when they walk through to the other side. Working in this sector isn’t just about domestic violence, quite often our women have issues which they are dealing with such as transgenerational trauma, being removed, child safety issues, family break down, incarceration, being the soldiers….
2. Describe yourself in 5 words.
Compassionate, daring, expressive, emotional, fierce
3. If 3 of your best friends were hanging out with you, what’s one thing they’d all jokingly make fun of you for?
That I always choose the “wrong” one….hahaha
4. What are you passionate about? This can be work-related, personal, whatever you would like to share.
I am passionate about assisting in the healing processes of my people.
5. Is art, or the process of creating art, therapeutic for you in any way? If so, could you provide a recent example?
Art is always a therapeutic experience for me. For me I find strength in telling my story when I can sit quietly by myself and let the brush go where it wants to lead me. Its a very healing experience.
6. How has art influenced your perception of life?
Art has had a major influence in the way I connect with not only myself but also my spirit. Art has allowed me many opportunities to meet lots of beautiful Aboriginal women on their own personal journeys of healing and searching for that place that gives them peace. I love the proudness in their faces when they have that one piece of art work that makes them feel worth while. That’s why I do what I do.
7. What are some other things or people that inspire/motivate you?
People who are kind, who are non-judgmental, who treat people with respect and compassion inspire and motivate me to do the same. I love listening to kids laughing, its the best feeling and hearing their giggles is uplifting…that inspires me..happy kids filled with laughter, nothing better…a walk on a beach motivates me too especially the beach back home on country…Horseshoe Bay on Magnetic Island, I love sitting on that beach and just reflecting..it is very powerful…heals my spirit and connects me to country!
8. Do you believe creativity is an innate quality? Please explain.
I think we all have innate qualities, it depends on how we embrace and are encouraged to develop those qualities.
9. What are some wise words or advice you would like to offer people reading this?
Just do your best and everything else will follow…..
10. You have been selected to go on an all expenses paid vacation with 3 people you’ve never met (dead or alive). Who is going on vacation with you and where?
Umm, K.D. Lang, Keb Mo and family members i never got to meet
SPEED ROUND – Quick questions with quick answers. Ready, go!
What is your favorite food?
Chicken fettucini
If you could be one animal, which one would you be?
Elephant
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Power read
FINAL QUESTION
Where on the world wide web can we learn more about you?
I’m not really on the web, but anyone can drop me a line in the comments below for a yarn about art…I’d really appreciate making friends from far and wide who are just as passionate about me in helping people heal through the medium of art…
Hi Lee..your artwork is so different and so simple but rich in meaning and feelings.
I wonder why you chose to be an elephant???
Maha
Hi Lee
I love your work and the fact that you are an Indigenous Artist. I have never heard that term before. Your work brought back feelings of when I was in Australia and the Aboriginal art work I had studied there. My family are from Queensland originating from Wales UK. They find Wales still very much their heartland and Australia their homeland. Our family like yours (inc. extended family) is huge. As a child I was brought up in South Africa where again the colours of art work and the environment were vivid and fascinating. I lived there for 5 years and have been interested in Indigenous cultures ever since. Especially in the art work. You sound amazing; soul inspiring and your images look real and free; the circle of friendship is beautiful and I would like to do something like this with the children I work with. I am a special needs teacher working with children in an art therapeutic way.
Hi Lee,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful creations. I’m a textile artist and with my celtic heritage, circles,interweaving patterns and silhouetted figures dominate my work too.I even doodle in circular patterns…
I have always been drawn to our country’s Indigenous patterns and earth colours. I find them soul soothing and inspirational in creating freeform fabric and knitwear.
Astrologically, my sun star sign is Virgo (earth sign)with the moon rising in Pisces (water sign)so I am drawn to both elements for my colours and patterns.
I also am a full time carer for my brother,David (mild intellectual disability and chronic diabetic.)He uses colour textas daily and spends many hours creating patterns.David is drawn to indigenous art. He once told me that the patterns calm him as he follows the lines with his eyes. If we are out he always wants to buy indigenous art work found in calendars as our Dave has OCD when it comes to time :days,months,years and the passing of it!
‘Blessed be’ your unique work,Lee. May you continue to grow spiritually and influence your amazing people.
Thank you for sharing your story and your beautiful artwork, very inspiring . . . . .
I lOVE WHAT YOU DO i WORK as A THERAPIST ALSO AND WORK MOSTLY WITH DISABILITY. TRAUMA IS ONE AREA I WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH ONE DAY PERHAPS I WILL IF I AM LEAD THERE AS I HAVE SUFFERED A LOT ALSO WOW YOU ARE INSPIRING AND YOUR WORK IS AWSOME LOOK ME UP ON FACE BOOK Deborahs Art On The Bay.cheers Deb
Thankyou Lee, your story is very inspiring and your artwork is AMAZING!
I’m an artist/ children’s art teacher who is currently working at schools, running kids’ art classes and studying art therapy.
Also, once a week I work as an art facilitator with Indigenous women/kids from DV backgrounds.
I am impressed with your work Lee.
If you ever make it to Adelaide and would like to run some (paid) workshops at schools and/or Gov and non-Gov organisations please drop me a line and I’ll try to hook some up.
My colleagues and the people we serve would love to meet and work with you I’m sure of it.
Good luck and all the best with your fantastic work in the future
Thankyou for sharing
Penny Mortimer
@ Penny. Hey Penny lets get something organised. Would love to hear from you…
Hi, I was reading about the work that you are doing with the aboriginal community and i was very inspired. I am an artist from London and I am hoping to train as an art therapist and work with the aboriginal community in australia, My boyfriend is australian and we are moving to australia in October. I would love to come and see the work that you do and perhaps even work with you as an introduction to Art therapy training. Please let me know what you think of this arrangement, you can email me on:hannahayin2004@hotmail.com Thanks very much