The great Divide

In this acrylic painting, my intention is to invite the viewer into an imagined historical moment of outback Australia in the early 1900s. The landscape is harsh and so is the lesson. At the heart of this painting is a young boy, tense and uncertain. His innocence is beginning to erode as he becomes aware of the divisions and the sneering ugliness that privilege can bring. Suspended between childhood and a dawning adult awareness, he clings— unsure of his place or his alliances as life plays out at the edge of the settlement.

Follow

Based in Townsville, North Queensland, Lyn is a passionate visual artist and dedicated art educator with over 35 years of experience in teaching. Her work reflects a deep connection to both the Australian landscape and the human experience, shaped by her life as a lesbian, teacher, and outdoor enthusiast.

Lyn's artistic practice is grounded in observation and presence. A keen four-wheel driver and camper, she often paints and sketches on-site, immersing herself in the remote beauty of North Queensland’s natural environments. She favours watercolour and pen on paper for their immediacy and expressive potential, and also works with acrylics on canvas to explore larger, more layered compositions.

The human figure plays a central role in her practice, often used to explore identity, emotion, and connection. Her work occasionally engages directly with queer themes, subtly weaving personal narrative into universal forms.

Lyn’s art is both grounded and exploratory — a reflection of a life lived with curiosity, openness, and an enduring love of making.