Nambucca Heads
Kevin Butler is an Indigenous artist. He was born in Nambucca Heads and forcibly removed from his family at the age of two weeks. Kevin was adopted by a family in Sydney.
"I was always aware of my Aboriginal heritage. My adopted family constantly reminded me to be proud of who I am and of the unique race of people that I belong to. It wasn't until 1988, during the year of the bicentennial protest/celebrations, that I began to paint. It was here that I could express my spiritual connection with my culture through my artwork".
In 1996, Kevin was commissioned to create a series of paintings for the Australian Museum. 'Stolen Generations Maze' investigates a variety of different themes relating to the Stolen Generations. Kevin's artist statement accompanies the paintings:
"If only it was just a dream, a horrible nightmare that would fade into oblivion with the dawn of a new day.
This maze portrays a sinister chapter in the history of Indigenous Australians. For our people it is definitely the most feared adversary since the arrival of Captain Cook. The Aboriginal Protection Board!
Many generations of stolen babies and children unwittingly became pawns in a ruthless game of life, with rules that were based on lies and deception.
As you wander through the confines of this labyrinth, you shall witness the attrocities our people suffered as a result of forced seperation.
An act classified as one of the greatest Australian crimes of the 20th Century".
https://australianmuseum.net.au/kevin-butler-stolen-generations-maze
https://www.australianmuseum.net.au/kevin-butler-artists-statement
Kevin Butler