As a child, Robby (Wergaia/Wotjobaluk) painted with his grandmother who had a big influence on his artistic life. He wants his children to see his artworks as life lessons to learn from, drawing on personal experiences, cultural history and family to create his art. Robby paints bold artworks of his Country and maintains a strong

Trevor is a proud Barkindji man and has been a participant in The Torch program since he signed up in 2014. My people are river people who have traditionally lived and hunted fish, turtles, yabbies and clams along the Baarka (Darling River) for many thousands of years. We are the direct descendants of Mungo Man

Leroy is a Yorta Yorta artist from Echuca who first joined The Torch program in 2014. Leroy paints to share his story, and feel pride in having created art that others will enjoy. When I paint, all my problems go away, I lose myself in my art In 2017, Leroy exhibited at Museum Victoria in

Last week Torch staff Susannah (Martu), Tarsha (Kuku Yalanji) and Flick (Ngarrindjeri), along with artist Thelma Beeton (Palawa), connected to female participants currently incarcerated at DPFC prison via live video link, in celebration of International Women’s Day. The in-prison participants enjoyed a tour of The Torch gallery, offices and storeroom followed by everyone sharing their

We have been crunching our 2020 numbers and despite the global pandemic, our team have been able to support more participants, and sell more artworks, than ever before. In 2020, your support has allowed us to be active with 488 participants in and out of Victorian prisons, sell 990 artworks, license artists’ artworks 96 times,

This year marks the 13th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations delivered by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on behalf of the Australian Parliament. Our thoughts are with the Stolen Generations, the men and women in our program and everyone affected by the past government policies of forced child removal and Indigenous assimilation.

We are delighted to announce Nova Peris OAM OLY MAICD as a new Director on The Torch board. Nova has accomplished so much in her life, and the experience she brings to our growing organisation is extraordinary. We are excited and humbled to welcome her to the team. Nova was Australia’s first Aboriginal woman elected

Future Dreaming was an exhibition of artworks created within Victorian prisons during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. It was launched on 29th Oct 2020 and wrapped up at the end of the year. We are so pleased to report that it was an overwhelming success. During this online-only exhibition 117 of 126 artworks’ sold. This included

Today, Chris Austin (Gunditjmara Keerraaywoorrong) had his first official prison visit as The Torch’s Indigenous Program Mentor. After spending over 30 years of his life in and out of prisons, this was a momentous day for both Chris and The Torch! Chris travelled to the prison with Indigenous Arts Officer Tracy Wise to catch up

Caring for Country and for collective wellbeing is something our First Nations have done for over 65,000 years. Building on that strength, and informed by community and artists, LiverWELL have launched a customised Guide that offers multiple tips and current links to support healthy living. The Guide was designed by graphic designer and Torch Indigenous