Artist Rebecca Wilson’s latest body of work, 'A Portrait of Landscape and Time in Hill End: Myth-making, Heroes and Villains' is now showing at Grenfell Art Gallery until 24 February 2019.
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Join the artist for a talk and afternoon tea from 2-3pm, Wednesday February 6, 2019 while she discusses her research, paintings and book.
This exhibition unearths lesser known stories of the remote and iconic town of Hill End. They disrupt common narratives of the region, questioning who the real heroes and villains are in recorded history and how we create myths and icons. We are introduced to Bathurst War hero and Wiradyuri leader, Windradyne and the shameful declaration of Martial Law in 1824.
The events around this time are a significant, but often ignored, part of Australia’s history. It was a devastating attempt at genocide against Aboriginal people. There are further tales of murder and racism in the gold rush era featuring Sammy Poo, also known as Cranky Sam, Australia’s only Chinese bushranger, who eventually hanged at Bathurst in 1865.
The journey through time acknowledges artists who have visited or lived in the region from the 1940’s and 1960’s, including such lesser known figures as Jean Bellette, who remains the only woman to have won the Sulman Prize more than once. Story cards are displayed next to the works, outlining the research and stories behind each image and these are included in her book which is available for $20.
For further information or to RSVP please contact the Grenfell Visitor Information Centre on 02 6343 2059 or email Claire at claire@grenfell.org.au.