Lee Butler

Lee Butler (Cruse) is a distinguished Yuin artist based in Eden, New South Wales, whose work celebrates the culture, stories, and landscapes of his Ancestral Country. A grandson of respected Elder Ossie Cruse, Lee’s artistic practice draws deeply on the traditions, stories, and visual motifs of the Yuin people, particularly those of the South Coast. His paintings and murals reflect a profound connection to Country, depicting coastal life, marine fauna, and ancestral practices with a contemporary interpretation that bridges past and present.

Lee has been widely recognised for his contributions to public art, most notably the mural “Jungar Hunter” on Eden’s water tower, which integrates Aboriginal symbolism with local flora and fauna, making Yuin heritage visible to the wider community. Beyond murals, his work has been included in regional arts documentation and heritage projects, such as the Bundian Way initiative, where he contributed as an Aboriginal artist helping to revitalise Ancient pathways, cultural knowledge, and stories connected to the land.

He has also participated in collaborative projects like the Bermagui Project, where Yuin artists, scientists, and writers explored coastal ecology, memory, and place through art, further embedding Aboriginal knowledge into public consciousness.

Through his art, Lee sustains the living legacy of Yuin culture, ensuring that ancestral stories, environmental knowledge, and artistic traditions continue to inspire and educate both his community and visitors. His work exemplifies the ongoing dialogue between culture, Country, and contemporary artistic expression.