Lipwurrunga: Aboriginal Art Exhibition

For the first time in his 35-year career, Les Lipwurrunga Huddleston, a renowned Aboriginal artist, spiritual healer, and talented didgeridoo maker and player, brings 36 of his works to Melbourne from his home in Darwin, in the free entry, all-ages Art and Cultural exhibition, “Lipwurrunga.”

From his traditional country of Roper River (East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory), Les has explored land, water, identity and healing themes through his art and life.

Married to Beverly for 35 years, with four daughters and 11 grandchildren, Les has profound joy in sharing the rich and artistic tapestry of his Indigenous culture.

“Through my art, I share the beauty of my heritage and my love for art to my children and grandchildren – a skill which is already evident in their paintings. My father Harry, a diver who picked up unexploded ordnance during the Bombing of Darwin, also passed down the ancient art of didgeridoo making to me, and I will have a handful of those that I have made on display at the Melbourne exhibition,” Les says.

Les’s work is iconic to Australian history. One of Les’s fish paintings, has been on display alongside the National Apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples, located in Sydney.

A role model for his community and family, Les is also the nephew of Gertie Huddleston, the famous artist from Ngukurr Aboriginal community.

Join Les at this Art Exhibition, "Lipwurrunga," as he tells the story of his and his family's journey. He says, "Lipwurrunga is the name given to me that represents my place and my way. I hope people who visit this exhibition experience my people, my family, my journey and my community through art and sound".

Les will also be giving cultural talks during the exhibition and performing healing ceremonies, where he welcomes people to join in his mesmerising sound healings. Didgeridoo sound therapy is a traditional Aboriginal natural healing and holistic health practice that uses meditation and intention to effect positive changes in a person’s mind, body and spirit.

Lipwurrunga is presented by Empowering Community Growth, a community organisation dedicated to supporting grassroots and fair-trade community work. This event is also supported by the City of Boroondara and the Fair Trade and Gift Shop.

According to Jill Forsyth, OAM, Founder, Empowering Community Growth, Les Huddleston is a man of great talent, with such a capacity to work and give to his community in positive ways.

"Les Huddleston, a visionary artist with grand dreams, paints not just on canvas but on the walls of Darwin itself. His large murals grace supermarkets, schools, and aged care facilities, infusing these spaces with joy, life, and a profound sense of belonging. Les dreams big, aspiring to leave a legacy of his culture, and security for his family in retirement. His art is a testament to his passion for sharing ideas and nurturing the next generation,” Jill says.

“Through art sessions in local schools, he imparts his deep connection to the land and water, fostering a rich understanding of his roots. The Lipwurrunga Exhibition captures only a glimpse of Les's vast capacity, showcasing paintings, didgeridoos, and carvings that serve as a conduit for sharing his knowledge, cultural preservation, inspiration, and bringing out the best in people.”