MENU

Aleshia Lonsdale

Reclaim | 2022

Disambiguation 2016
Disambiguation 2016

bio:

Lonsdale has over 20 years experience in the Arts and Culture sector and is actively engaged in various Aboriginal, Environmental and Arts Organisations both locally and across the region including the Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance Inc (NSW), The CORRIDOR Project, Cementa Inc and the Three Rivers Regional Assembly. Lonsdale has experience in a number of roles including as an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Officer, Community Development Officer, Facilitator and has been employed at Arts OutWest since 2011 as the Aboriginal Arts Development Officer.

Since 2015 Lonsdale has been actively engaged in her art practice following the successful mentoring program - Left Field Project facilitated by Orana Arts. Lonsdale also won the 2015 UNSW Art & Design Indigenous Professional Development Award in the NSW Parliament Aboriginal Art Prize. Since then she has continued to explore different mediums, expanded her practice, and has contributed to a number of shows as an Artist, Artsworker and Curator.

"Reclaim" 2022

‘Reclaim’ uses baggage and air travel as metaphors for Indigenous reclamation. The work contains the baggage that has been carried in the hold of Country and First Nations bodies, asserting First Nations agency to control the narrative. The work provides an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing trauma experienced by Aboriginal people that is stored in people, place and object, and to participate in domestic baggage reclaim.

statement:

Aleshia Lonsdale is a visual artist, arts worker and curator based in regional NSW. As a proud Wiradjuri woman from Mudgee in Central Western NSW, Lonsdale creates work using a variety of materials including natural and found objects which endeavour to give voice to First Nations peoples. She sees the arts not only as a vehicle for intergenerational cultural transmission but also as a tool which allows the audience to view the world through a First Nations lens. With a strong grounding in Culture and Country her works are influenced by the past, present and future experiences of First Nations peoples with a particular focus on social, cultural, political and environmental issues.

Materials | Installation, weaving
Location | Rylstone Common
Renewal 2016
Renewal 2016