Trevor 'Turbo' Brown

Trevor ‘Turbo’ Brown (1967–2017) was a Latje Latje artist from Mildura, Victoria, whose life and work exemplify resilience and raw creative power. Born with an intellectual disability and abandoned at a young age, Brown spent much of his early life homeless along the Murray River, forming a deep connection with the native animals that later became the central subjects of his art. His vivid, energetic paintings of birds, dingoes, and other wildlife are celebrated for their immediacy and emotional honesty, reflecting a profound bond with the natural world.

Adopted as a teenager by Uncle Herb Patten and Aunty Bunta, Brown found stability and encouragement to pursue his artistic talents. He earned a Diploma of Arts (Visual Arts) from RMIT in 2005, and his first solo exhibition at the Koorie Heritage Trust in 2004 was a sell-out success. Brown’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including at the National Gallery of Victoria, the National Gallery of Australia, and the Rebecca Hossack Gallery in London. His art continues to resonate for its authenticity, spirit, and the powerful story of transformation it tells.