NevilleWilliamsArt

SP🔴TLIGHT ARTWORK

"A Visit to Angela"(March 2020)

©️Arts Law Australia

Media: Mixed Media

Size: 122cm(H) x 91cm(W) x 4cm(D) (UNFRAMED)

TO BE GIFTED

When my friend Angela was sick a while back

I visited her at home with this bunch of flowers.

It seemed like a good subject to paint and the video below

shows the development process. The collage elements were contributed by Angela's work colleagues. I utilised the time in isolation

during the Coronavirus pandemic to complete the artwork.

Angela is a most wonderful person a warm,

natural and humane individual.

I hope the painting reflects her colourful spirit.

WATCH A SHORT VIDEO

OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS ARTWORK (HERE)

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A LADY WHO LIVED WITH DIGNITY

Artwork Title: Uriel means Angel

Artist: Neville Williams (2026) / © Arts Law Australia

Size: 122cm (H) x 92cm (W) x 4cm (D)

Media: Indelible ink, acrylic, collage on canvas (Framed)

I share here some facts about my Mother.

Uriel was both a very bright and striking lady in her personality, precise, methodical, accurate and a perfectionist. If something, anything was going to be done then it was done properly and completely. She lived by those standards. I as a matter of course was influenced by those standards.

To paint my Mother in a loose “free spirited” expressionist way would not be a true reflection of her though her life has been full of colour and vibrancy. She most certainly lived it. Uriel was usually the life of the party.

Uriel's name comes from one of the “Archangels” in The Bible. I wouldn’t though describe my Mother as a religious person. She certainly did though respect the value of life - hers, everyone and everything around her. There was a dignity and reserve about Uriel.

Mum treated others with a kindly respect even though there were those who don’t necessarily deserve it. In that Australian way she was an encourager of the underdog. In fact she was a most appropriate example of a dying breed of Australian who’ll have a go and give others a go as well. No pretensions. What you saw was what you got - open and honest, friendly and genuinely warm.

She tried hard over her lifetime to do the best she could and succeeded. She most certainly took her responsibilities to her family very seriously and knew what the word commitment means.

Simple, happy, laughing and joyous are descriptives that filled her life being on this earth. Uriel was one of those people who was gifted with being truly interested in other people and it was not unusual for complete strangers to share with her the story of their life within five minutes of meeting her. She loved talking and was an excellent conversationalist with those who met her path.

An ordinary person living an extraordinary life.

Shown (adjacent) are a few of the hundreds of "mandalas" hand coloured by Uriel. They can be seen in the background of her portrait.

Mum was loved by some, warmly liked by most and judged by those who don’t know themselves. But that happens to people who give off an unencumbered light.

Uriel knew that she was something good without being full of herself.

The love I have for her was earned through year upon year of unconditional giving on her part.

Uriel is a National Treasure and should be recognised and treated as such. She was one of the best of her “old school” generation and most certainly has earned the title of "elder". Neville ☺︎

THE ARTIST'S FULL RESUME CAN BE READ (HERE)

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TAKE TIME

TO SMELL

THE FLOWERS

"Pippin's Poppies"(2021) [Reworked 2026]

Artist: Neville Williams ©️Arts Law Australia

Size: 76cm W x 101.5cm H x 3.5cm D

Media: Acrylic, charcoal, Conté crayon, tissue paper,

gold leaf on canvas (Box Framed under clear acrylic)

POA

_________________

Artist's Note:

This artwork is inspired by an exuberant theatrical production of the show “PIPPIN” staged at the Lyric Theatre in Sydney (Dec. 2020). Glad to have seen the show early in the season because its run was cut short by Covid.

Jeez, all of the work that those wonderful artists, musicians, production, creatives and management people put into that fabulous show. The production deserved a longer run.

What talented people!

I do so love excellence in no matter what form it comes.

I’ve glued my front row ticket (thanks John) to the canvas.

It deserves to be there. Loved it.

In Pippin a young Prince goes on a journey,

in a sense to find himself, only to ultimately discover

what he is looking for in the simple life of home.

Pippin’s travails are a burst of colour to say the least. - N.

…………………………………………

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STOP DREAMING
Wake Up Sleeping Man

©️Arts Law Australia

Conte crayon on cartridge paper

Size: 42cm H x 59cm W

POA

To see more drawings by this artist click on the sub heading

"SOME LIFE DRAWINGS" above.

Too many live lives where they exist rather than being alive.

Wasting away the precious seconds of a life

in a state of sleep walking while awake is pointless.

The gift of a life is something to be appreciated.

Learning to listen is a good starting point.

•

I remember the model featured

in the above artwork from my Art School days.

Some people just have "it".

He emanated a raw sexual electricity quite naturally.

Relaxed, comfortable in his own skin, intelligent and present.

There was no flaunting of himself.

He was simply a warm alive human being.

Every pose he presented was pure perfection.

Wonderful subjects for artists when they come along.

I've had the same happen with female models.

In fact this drawing and 5 other life drawings (3 male & 3 female)

will feature in my up coming retrospective exhibition "Sunshine!".

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"Make the maze of life amazing" (2020)

(Theseus and the Minotaur)

(with a wink to Rosalie Gascoigne and a nod to John Coburn)

Artist: Neville Williams ©️Arts Law Australia

Size: 59cm (H) x 74cm (W)

Medium: Mixed media on cardboard jigsaw puzzle

PRIVATE COLLECTION

YOO are looking into a mirror.

The Minotaur and Theseus are both in us

and it's quite a maze inside there!

To find his way out of the maze Theseus carried a string

to mark the route and so find his way back to his own Eden.

In this story Theseus comes to understand that facing

the fears we all hold within us makes a more complete self.

It's OK to have a shadow.

The light and the dark are opposite halves of the same whole.

"Know thyself"*

...and you've found the source of your own happiness.

That's a Sun Tree to the left of artwork.

Put simply this artwork is a contemporary retelling

of the old adage "HOME SWEET HOME". NW☺︎

*Socrates

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DISCOVERING A BIGGER PICTURE

Artwork: HOME OF LIGHT

Artist: Neville Williams (2025) © Arts Law Australia

Media: Acrylic paint on stretched canvas

Size: 100cm square x 3.5cm deep

POA

Everything you can see in the picture here is us.

We are the environment.

We are in it and of it.

Each of us is part of the greater whole.

And to appreciate or value our environment and our place in it

both inside and outside ourselves we need to know ourselves…well.

Too many are holding onto too many outdated ideas, values and concepts

that are separating us from the human being within us.

We are so full-on with our busyness that we have become human doings rather than beings.

Perhaps the call to action for our time is:-

“Reconnection to our larger world environment, each other but most importantly ourselves.”

We need to say goodbye to old ways of seeing and doing.

And that is a confrontation to what we have become.

It is we who have made our world complex and confusing.

It is the duty of our stewardship and unique place in this creation to simplify and enjoy life.

Such a conundrum that we are given the beautiful gift of a life and too much

we get lost in a forest of our own ignorance.

Make your home of light on a hill and enjoy the view.

Perhaps the river in the picture is washing away the dark

preparing us for the oncoming dawn?

What we can do is to want things to be better and if we can’t contribute to making it so

then is it so difficult to get out of the way?

Or does our pride and ego just constantly need feeding?

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WALKING ON WATER

[CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE]

"To be, or not to be?"

Model: Endo

Size: 210cm W x 122cm H x 5cm D

Medium: Spray paints, varnish, wooden cut out figure,

heavy quality canvas stretched over wooden frame.

$3,000

The outlined figure could be any person seeking answers

driven to absolute choices by the crazy world in which we live.

The swimming pool is a symbol of the uncertainties we face in life.

Hence the message “CAREFUL DEEP WATER”.

Being pink it could also be 'hot water'.

Perhaps the repetitive tile pattern is a rigidity

or the formality of what life can be for so many?

The clear lacquered figure (to the right)

can catch the light when viewed at certain angles.

It is the same outlined cut-out figure that is throwing a shadow

across the scene (to the left).

These elements address in our lives the light and dark,

the bright spots and the shadows, to be present or not.

The silhouetted figure appears to be walking on the water

which can be a nod to the highest part of ourselves and the spirit to survive

or to rise above it all amidst the difficulties of life's many challenges.

The artwork title "To be, or not to be?" from Shakespeare's Hamlet

makes reference here to the choice each of us has every moment

'to be' either conscious and aware or 'not to be'

i.e. unconscious to ourself and the world around us.

That includes understanding the pain that we as individuals and others might suffer.

Ultimately it is a positive painting...

We need to acknowledge the darkness to appreciate the light. - Neville☺

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IT'S MORE THAN BLACK & WHITE

SEE A BIGGER PICTURE

Title: "Dancin' to the same tune"(1997)

Size: 116cm (W) x 84cm (H)

Medium: Ink on cartridge paper (2 pieces)

PRIVATE COLLECTION

While acknowledging the tireless work of some in the area of Reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians

the whole process does look like needing a shot in the arm.

How can we bring about Reconciliation in any area of difference until

there are enough individuals who are “reconnected”

within themselves?

Everyone can participate in ‘reconnection'.

"Reconnection” places everyone on a level playing field...no excuses.

Isn’t it time for action? NW☺︎

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The falling or flying man?

No matter which way yoo hang this artwork it works.

Man of Inner Strength(circa 1993)

Artwork inspired by Bill Paton a man of inner strength

[“Guang Rong de ren” 光荣的人（glorious man)]

Size: 120cm W x 133cm H

Medium: Pencil, acrylic, silver permanent indelible ink,

collage on stretched canvas, framed

PRIVATE COLLECTION

Can you find the falling/flying figure dominating this artwork?
Look past the obvious figures.

The figure I'm talking about is placed subliminally in the work.
And perhaps this figure isn't falling at all.
Perhaps the figure is flying. Depends on how you view the canvas!

The safest place though is when you have your feet on the ground! - Neville ☺︎

This poem appears in the artwork...

"Standing at the chasm's

brink

If you lean forward

just slightly more

You will begin to fall

into the bottomless

inevitable pit

Then with fear

forgotten

Falling

Becomes

Flying"

- Bill Paton

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An overview of the artwork

"WHEN THE SPIRIT OF BENNELONG RETURNS"

Panel (4) detail “When the Spirit of Bennelong returns” (1991-1999)

Total Size: 510cm W x 110cm H x 5cm D

(4 panels + 1 maquette sculpture)

Medium: Mixed Media

Following are Thomas Keneally's words

from Panel 4 of the complete artwork (shown below).

Mr. Keneally did mention that Peter Garrett had input here.

“WHEREAS THE AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE ARE DRAWN

FROM A RICH DIVERSITY OF CULTURES

YET ARE ONE IN THEIR DEVOTION

TO THE AUSTRALIAN TRADITION OF EQUALITY

THE FREEDOM OF THE PERSON

AND THE DIGNITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL;

WHEREAS AUSTRALIA IS AN ANCIENT LAND

PREVIOUSLY OWNED AND OCCUPIED

BY ABORIGINAL PEOPLE

WHO NEVER CEDED OWNERSHIP;

WHEREAS AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE LOOK TO SHARE FAIRLY

IN THE PLENTY OF THE COMMONWEALTH;

WHEREAS AUSTRALIA IS A CONTINENT

OF IMMENSE EXTENT AND UNIQUE IN THE WORLD

DEMANDING AS OUR HOME LAND OUR RESPECT

DEVOTION AND WISE MANAGEMENT.”

Thomas Keneally

PROPOSED PREAMBLE TO A NEW AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTION

Wording reprinted here with Mr. Keneally's expressed permission.

This complete artwork was given to and kindly received as a gift by

NAISDA – National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association.

There were many contributors to the artwork.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE MORE DETAIL

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