A lifetime of artmaking has registered little challenge for Narranderra-born Owen Lyons.
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But there is something the 53-year-old Aboriginal artist has not yet conquered. That is the challenge of owning and operating his own gallery.
"It's something I've always wanted, but it's been a bit daunting," said the artist.
"I've been making Aboriginal art my whole life, mostly in the souvenir trade.
"But a few years ago I had an illness that meant I needed a kidney transplant."
It was then that Mr Lyons decided to bring his art off the canvas and transform his practice into a place of recovery.
Currently collaborating with up to eight local artists, Mr Lyons' Morgan Street space will officially open on April 5. Up to 100 patrons are expected to attend the gallery to mark its opening that evening.
"It's going to be somewhere that people can come to relax, to recover from addictions, to find peace for their mental health, and to learn skills," he said.
"I realised art is such an important way to learn to express yourself. It helps you to learn to open up."
A mix of art therapy and general creative classes, the gallery space has already attracted a wide variety of artmakers.
"It's about 50/50 at this point. Half are Aboriginal artists and the other are general artists," said Mr Lyons.