Johnny Young

Johnny Young grew up on the mission at Santa Teresa, now known as Ltyentye Apurte. As a young man
he was employed as a stockman breaking in horses and camels. He began working with leather, making
functional pieces for saddlery and craft.

In his spare time Johnny created bush toys from wire, scrap metal and other salvaged materials. His first
adult work was a small version of a football field, complete with players made from horseshoe nails.
Over the years Johnny has proven himself to be as versatile as the materials from which he shapes his craft.
His subjects range from cowboys and rodeo riders to camels, cameleers and motorbikes. Figurines are
constructed from recycled copper wires wound tightly together, and then dressed using a range of found
and salvaged items. Johnny’s artwork reveals a deep love of station life and invites us to look at the social
history of the region in which Aboriginal people have been central to the pastoral industry for generations.
Johnny creates exquisite representations of native wild life including emus, kangaroos, goannas and local
bird life. The wealth of detail and intricate construction of these works reflect an endless depth of
knowledge of country and connection to the land.