“Water is life. Country is spirit. And painting is how I keep both alive.”
– Lloyd Kwilla
Lloyd Kwilla, born in 1980, is an acclaimed Aboriginal Australian artist whose works pulse with the spirit of his Country. Raised in Wangkatjungka on Christmas Creek Station, and now based in Pandanus Park, Lloyd’s art is grounded in the deep red earth of the northern Great Sandy Desert, where his family’s stories are written into the land itself.
Influenced early by his father, revered tribal leader and healer Billy Thomas, Lloyd grew up walking barefoot across Country—feeling every heartbeat of the land. His paintings reflect this intimacy: layers of ochres and acrylics capturing Kuylayi, bushfire dreaming, and the sacred waterholes that give life to people and place.
Years ago, Lloyd stepped away from painting. A decade in the city silenced the voices of his ancestors. But when he returned to Country, the spirit of his grandmother and grandfather came to him in visions. Their stories returned too. They whispered to him. And he painted.
Today, as a grandfather of four, Lloyd blends tradition with new expression. Supported through ABV and Greatland Gold’s Martu Business Development Services, his creative practice continues to grow. From sacred objects to large-scale canvases, he continues to exhibit widely, including internationally.
Recently, Lloyd was proudly recognised by Regional Arts WA for NAIDOC Week 2025. The feature honours his deep storytelling and connection to land, culture, and community – a testament to his strength, vision, and legacy.
“I paint not from my mind, but from memory, heart, and spirit.”
Each piece Lloyd creates is a living communication: between past and present, people and place, self and spirit. His art doesn’t just tell stories—it keeps them alive.
Recent recognition as one of Regional Arts WA Artists of the Month for NAIDOC week 2025
regionalartswa.org.au/lloyd-kwilla-painting-stories-of-country
Explore Lloyd’s story and portfolio here:
