Adam Leng
Yugambeh artist Adam Leng’s energetically rich works are streams of consciousness representing his connection to self and cultural heritage.
Words: Holly Terry | Photography: Blake Pace & HAKE House
‘Whilst I would’ve loved to have learnt more about my mob and culture growing up, I couldn’t. I only have certain tools at my disposal to bridge that gap and make me feel closer to my heritage. So, for that I’m really grateful to have this medium to express myself,’ Adam Leng. Photo: Blake Pace
Influenced by this connection between creativity, culture and politics, Adam Leng’s works are inherently tied to past and present. Photo: Blake Pace
Yugambeh-based artist, Adam Leng’s work recently was thrust into the public eye after the long-time creative picked up a paint brush for the first time this year. Creating for as long as he can remember, Leng spent the majority of his younger years trying to figure out how to write and record songs. While his first exploration of visual art was more digital (the maker would previously play around with collage and boxy 90s-style T.Vs), his inherent curiosity would later pave the way for Adam’s budding painting career.
As far as rituals go, a grounding practice is first up. The artist begins his mornings with a swim or surf around his golden hometown of Tugun, before heading into Lazarus Film Lab where he spends his days painting. I live a very simple life,’ Adam shares, describing wholesome nights in, cooking great food with his partner.
Adam describes his paintings as sort of organic streams of consciousness, ‘Nothing is ever planned in advance, whatever comes out, comes out,’ he says. Using a considered palette of just three colours, each tone is representative of his cultural heritage, the ancestor spirit, country and the individual. For Adam, blending the three tones is a process of meditation on the sovereign connection he has with his heritage.
Carrying an energy and knowing that seems as if it has been shared and refined for years, surprisingly, the artist didn’t pick up a paintbrush until Invasion Day 2022, as a means to reconnect with himself. Adam’s powerful message has not gone unnoticed, having since been involved with upcoming contemporary gallery such as HAKE House of Art.
Adam Leng in his studio in Tugun, Gold Coast. Photo: Blake Pace
Adam Leng’s work features hypnotic graphic patterns are woven together in various colour combinations such as eucalyptus green and natural, earthy tones. Photo: Blake Pace
‘Generally, on Invasion Day I love being out at the rallies, surrounded by other mob. It can be a hell of an isolating day if you’re not around your people for support. This year, I was struggling more than usual with my mental health and decided I couldn’t do big crowds and needed to spend some time alone. So, I came to the idea of using painting to ground myself and reconnect on a personal level.’
Adam’s hypnotic and energetically rich paintings serve as a gateway for the creative to ground himself within his culture and who he is. Inspired by his personal experience as a first nations person, ‘The history of settler violence in my family meant that I didn’t have the opportunity to learn a whole lot about my culture growing up. Not having that connection has made me question my identity a lot and can often leave me feeling isolated.’
For Adam, connecting with other First Nations artists is his proudest aspect of his budding career this far. ‘I can’t even begin to explain how great it feels to share stories with other mob and to see everyone taking up space and being proud!’
Since the debut of his painting career, Adams name is already on the rise. Having had a big year already, Leng will be exhibiting alongside abstract artist, Loralee Jade on the 15th of October at HAKE House of Art.