Honouring Jagalingou Country, 2014, Pamela CroftWarcon, Howard Butler, Kaylene Butler, photo Carl Warner. Currently touring with Bimblebox: art – science – nature

Howard Butler making a coolamon at Bimblebox Nature Refuge

Howard is also known as Joe and was born in 1961 at Rockhampton, Queensland. He is a descendant of the Georang Georang people from Bundaberg and Ijman-Gangulu people of Central West Queensland. As a middle child, he was brought up with strong cultural knowledge and experiences, and was influenced by his grandparents and parents.

The most important cultural knowledge was passed on by his mother. He began making art at a young age. During that time, cultural art was not favourable and Howard was told not to depict his culture. In the present day it gives him the opportunity to express, exchange and tell of his people’s culture which also continues in strength by reclaiming and maintaining it through the Arts.

In the 1990’s Howard’s artworks became public through the opportunity of working with communities locally, nationally and internationally. He continues to teach, deliver cultural talks, mentors and helps people in need by donating artwork.

Howard has had a number of exhibitions in galleries, locally, state wide, nationally and internationally. He has also participated in Public Art Projects and artwork commissions. Recently he had the opportunity to participate in a cultural exchange with indigenous artists from surrounding areas of Central Queensland and New Zealand. Howard produces artworks in many mediums and media.