Two women standing in a museum on either side of some black and white historic photographs.
THOUGHT PROVOKING EXHIBITION: Wagga Wagga Art Gallery Director Dr Lee-Anne Hall and Museum of the Riverina Curator Michelle Maddison with some of the historic photographs included in Said Hanrahan
Arts & Culture

Landcare and the climate crisis explored in exhibition at Museum of the Riverina

Published: 10 Aug 2023 9:38am

A thought-provoking exhibition addressing land management choices since colonisation – and in the context of climate change – is asking us to rethink our land care practices.

Said Hanrahan: Land. Care. Climate. Crisis will be launched at the Museum of the Riverina’s Historic Council Chambers site on Saturday 12 August, and the community is invited to attend the event.

Wagga Wagga Art Gallery and the Museum of the Riverina have partnered to present the exhibition, inspired by John O’Brien’s 1921 poem ‘Said Hanrahan’.

The exhibition addresses land management choices  since colonisation – and in the context of climate change, asks us to rethink our land care practices.

The community is invited to attend the launch on Saturday 12 August at the Museum of the Riverina’s Historic Council Chambers site.

Inspired by John O’Brien’s 1921 poem ‘Said Hanrahan,’ the exhibition features historical photographs from the Riverina which show the development of farming, land management practices and the harsh environmental circumstances of droughts, floods and fires.

A museum with an installation in the foreground that is a trough with red dirt and dried weeds, and some large works on paper on the wall in the background.
ON EXHIBITION: Wendy Teakel in Said Hanrahan, installation view, Museum of the Riverina. Image courtesy Wagga Wagga Art Gallery.

Alongside the photographs are the artworks of Canberra-based artist Wendy Teakel, Wiradjuri artist Lorraine Connelly Northey and Wagga Wagga-based photographer Tayla Martin.

Gallery Director Dr Lee-Anne Hall said, “each artist offers insight into our relationship to land and the challenges before us.”

Raised on a farm in the Riverina, Wendy Teakel explores her deep connection with the land, while also investigating the effects of farming practices on the natural environment through her artistic work.

“The work of Lorraine Connelly Northey reflects upon traditional agricultural practices of Aboriginal women in the gathering of Yam Daisies,” said Dr Hall.

A broad view of an indoor exhibition, there are large handbag-shaped sculptures made from rusty steel in the background.
INSTALL VIEW: Lorraine Connelly Northey Murnang, Harvesting Yam Daisy in Said Hanrahan, installation view, Museum of the Riverina. Image courtesy Wagga Wagga Art Gallery.

In the photographs from Tayla Martin, the state of the environment under stress is apparent during recent flood events and the 2020 Dunns Road Fire.

Gemma Purcell, Chair of Murrumbidgee Landcare and host of Haystacks Solar Garden Grong Grong, will be guest speaker at the upcoming launch and will share solution-focused perspectives towards a sustainable future.

The exhibition launch for Said Hanrahan: Land. Care. Climate. Crisis will be held on Saturday 12 August from 2pm at the Museum of the Riverina (Historic Council Chambers site, Baylis Street).

An historic photo of some men standing around some trees they have just felled.
HISTORICAL PHOTO: Red gum logs felled on Bulgary and Berry Jerry Stations, NSW. c. 1901. Image credit to Museum of the Riverina, Wagga Wagga

All are welcome to attend and encouraged to book via waggaartgallery.com.au/whats-on/programs-and-events

Over the coming months, a series of public programs which explore the issues raised will be presented by Wagga Wagga Art Gallery and Museum of the Riverina.

Visit waggaartgallery.com.au and museumriverina.com.au for more information.

Programs:

Exhibition Launch: Said Hanrahan: Land. Care. Climate. Crisis.
Saturday 12 August, 2pm - 4pm
Free event | RSVP encouraged via waggaartgallery.com.au/whats-on/programs-and-events