Grandfather Sun is about healing and positive energy from the rays touching us like a hug. I created this earth painting with ochres on a mossy rock at Rye Back beach and when it rains the moss goes green. My earth paintings educate people about Aboriginal culture and invite people to open up their eyes and see what culture is there all around us.

Lionel Lauch is a Gunditjmara Kirrae Wurrung-Bundjalung man. The Peninsula has been home to Lionel since he was 6 years old, where, as a child, he was drawn to exploring the land and natural environment and developing a deep connection and understanding to his country and cultural heritage. Lionel has a passion for expanding and sharing his vast knowledge of cultural practices, stories, production of artefacts and traditional tools, bush foods and medicines, healing, building practices, music, dance, traditional ceremonies and contemporary engagement programs.

Lionel also visually depicts his culture and lore through paintings, murals, carvings and sculpture.

The Mornington Peninsula Shire / NBN Co Aboriginal Art Node Project is a partnership to cover sixteen NBN node cabinets across thirteen townships with Aboriginal art wraps from 6 local Aboriginal groups/organisations including Bunurong Land Council, Balee Group, Baluk Arts, Bunjilwarra, Living Culture and Willum Warrain.

This project aims to support and increase awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups and organisations on the Mornington Peninsula and celebrate a sense of place and the importance of storytelling through art.