Josh Muir
Josh Muir is a young visual artist with heritage from Gunditjamara/ Yorta Yorta, who grew up and lives in Ballarat. Josh’s art reflects a positive style influenced by contemporary street art, which he sees as a modern way of expressing stories through vibrant work. Josh took to contemporary street art as a kid, inspired by the colour contrasts and its place in the public arena for everyone to enjoy.
His path has not been easy, with experiences of teenage drug use, overdoses, depression and homelessness, but Josh found his way back with the support of his family and friends and most significantly by making art.
Being Aboriginal has given Josh a strong connection to his culture. Through his art, he encourages forgiveness and pays respect to and acknowledges the past. He values the opportunities he has had to contribute to his community, including working at the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME), contributing to ABC OPEN, and working alongside young innovative pioneers through the Foundation for Young Australians.
His work Heaven’s Gates won the People’s Choice Award at the 2014 Victorian Indigenous Arts Awards, and in 2015 he won the Youth Award in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Art Awards for his work Buninyong. In February 2016, his works were projected across the expansive facade of the National Gallery of Victoria for White Night Melbourne. Still Here, Josh’s White night series, tells the story of Aboriginal people in Victoria before and since white settlement. ‘The appearance of white men on our land meant that our life would never be the same again. Life has changed, we have struggled, been treated badly. But we are still here—and growing stronger with each generation. This is our story, a story of unity and survival.’
Josh is represented by Mars Gallery, Melbourne.
