David Truong came to Australia in 1975 as an orphan of the Vietnam war. Just 7 years old, his eye sight was already deteriorating from what was thought to be malnutrition.
He has no strong memory of ever having sight.
As a teenager, in the care of foster parents and institutions, David developed a love for music. But he eventually made the tough decision to follow his passion for competitive sport. David went on to represent Australia in the 1986 and 2006 goalball World Championships designed for people for vision impairments, and donning a baggy cap to join other elite, vision impaired cricket players in 2013.
Today David is a singer, songwriter, piano and keyboard player. He has created two albums under his stage name Ambition Road, which is available on iTunes, Spotify and other major streaming platforms.
When asked about his earliest memories, David describes the smells and tastes of his path to a new life here and the dawning of new days in Australia. Artist Dylan Jones chose to capture David’s image as either a sunrise or sunset depending on how the viewer looks at David’s journey.
Experience the immersive artwork soundscape:
Artist
Dylan Jones
Dylan’s artworks are often a bold depiction of everyday life be it scenery, portraits, boats or shoes on a sidewalk. Almost all his paintings are done on location, or ‘en plein air’, inspired by a variety of people and places. Outside is where he says he’s inspired to make spontaneous decisions about composition, colour, surface and tone..
“I’m attracted to the unseen and undervalued beauty of the everyday – the moments that people miss and dismiss as not worthy of attention.” Courier Mail, 2018
Dylan’s recent prizes include 2021 Finalist – Byron Arts Magazine Art Prize, 2021 Finalist – Waverley Art Prize (Sydney), 2021 Finalist – Brisbane Portrait Prize and 2021 Finalist – Georges River Art Prize (Sydney).
Composer
John Rotar
Described by Limelight magazine as a ‘young, talented and innovative composer’, Brisbane-based John Rotar is an emerging composer and conductor. John’s passion for music started at an early age, playing piano at six, composing at eight and completing his first orchestral work, performed by the Bundaberg Youth Orchestra, at twelve.
John has had more than 115 works commissioned, recorded or performed, including by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, the Australian Youth Orchestra, The Australian Voices, Southern Cross Soloists, Queensland Ballet Academy, Expressions Dance Company, Flinders String Quartet, Queensland Youth Orchestras, UQ Symphony Orchestra among many others.
An active performer, John is the Artistic Director and Conductor of The Australian Voices as well as the organist at the historic All Saints Church.
