Kluge-Ruhe exhibited Dub Leffler: Darkish, a selection of watercolors made for illustrations in children’s literature and other related works, from January 28 – August 8, 2021.
Darkish explored how Indigenous children are represented in children’s literature, and the term “darkish” was used by the adoption agency to describe the artist himself as a child. Historically, Aboriginal children have been stereotyped in children’s literature or excluded altogether, not unlike their adult counterparts in non-Indigenous fiction over the last 200 years. Leffler’s work expands the image of the Aboriginal child to encompass the diversity of Indigenous Australia, allowing the opportunity for all Aboriginal children to see themselves and their histories reflected in the books that help shape who they become. These delicately drawn and subtly painted works challenge the notion that children’s book illustrations aren’t art in and of themselves, breaking down Eurocentric constructions of what is and is not included in the exclusive category of “fine art.”
Dub Leffler participated in a virtual artist residency at Kluge-Ruhe from February 4 – May 25, 2021. He presented an artist talk and was a central speaker in panel discussions about the importance of diversity in children’s literature, how illustration is a form of art, and issues of representation for Indigenous Australians in the arts. He guest-lectured to several courses at UVA and participated in the Virginia Festival of the Book.
Dub Leffler participated in a virtual artist residency at Kluge-Ruhe from February 4 – May 25, 2021. He presented an artist talk and was a central speaker in panel discussions about the importance of diversity in children’s literature, how illustration is a form of art, and issues of representation for Indigenous Australians in the arts. He guest-lectured to several courses at UVA and participated in the Virginia Festival of the Book.
Dub Leffler (Bigambul, Mandandanji) is an illustrator, writer, animator and mixed media artist, working in the arts through books, film, television, muralism and art education. He has taught and workshopped illustration in Australia, Scotland, Indonesia and the United States. He is a prominent children’s book illustrator and author, collaborating with Sally Morgan, Banksy, Coral Vass and others, and is known for his soft realistic portraits and emotional landscapes. In addition to his Aboriginal heritage of southwest Queensland, he is also descended of French, Syrian and Irish heritage. He lives on the Central Coast of New South Wales with his daughter and family of chickens, in sight of Brisbane Water. His award-winning bestseller picture book Once There Was A Boy (2011) received international recognition, was acquired by the Library of Congress and was featured several times at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. More recently Leffler illustrated Sorry Day (2018), written by Coral Vass, which won the 2019 Eve Pownall Award for Information Books from the Children’s Book Council of Australia. Black Cockatoo (2018), which he illustrated, was also an Honour Book that year. Bindi (2020) and Strangers on Country (2020) are his most recent titles. At last count Dub has created 25 books.
Dub Leffler (Bigambul, Mandandanji) is an illustrator, writer, animator and mixed media artist, working in the arts through books, film, television, muralism and art education. He has taught and workshopped illustration in Australia, Scotland, Indonesia and the United States. He is a prominent children’s book illustrator and author, collaborating with Sally Morgan, Banksy, Coral Vass and others, and is known for his soft realistic portraits and emotional landscapes. In addition to his Aboriginal heritage of southwest Queensland, he is also descended of French, Syrian and Irish heritage. He lives on the Central Coast of New South Wales with his daughter and family of chickens, in sight of Brisbane Water. His award-winning bestseller picture book Once There Was A Boy (2011) received international recognition, was acquired by the Library of Congress and was featured several times at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. More recently Leffler illustrated Sorry Day (2018), written by Coral Vass, which won the 2019 Eve Pownall Award for Information Books from the Children’s Book Council of Australia. Black Cockatoo (2018), which he illustrated, was also an Honour Book that year. Bindi (2020) and Strangers on Country (2020) are his most recent titles. At last count Dub has created 25 books.
This exhibition and residency were supported by Australia Council for the Arts, the UVA Mellon Indigenous Arts Initiative and UVA Vice Provost for the Arts. We are grateful to Joan Kindig for sharing her guidance and expertise in the planning and development of Leffler’s virtual residency.
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