“What We Owe…” – on exhibition at Griffith Art Gallery

Published on 18 February 2025

Griffith Regional Art Gallery’s latest exhibition comes from the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Art Collection and features a selection of printed works encompassing different themes around the concept of a ‘social contract’ and what we owe to our children, those less advantaged, First Nations people, women and the environment.

The exhibition is in three parts. The first part looks at First Nations artwork and issues, and features historical print work from Wiradjuri activist, poet and printmaker Kevin Gilbert, including linocut plates taken from the linoleum tiles of the artist’s prison floor in the 1960’s.

The second element of the exhibition features unique and editioned print work by Melbourne-based architect and artist, and ardent advocate for chronic health issues, Michelle Hamer. Her artwork comments on delegitimising and dismissive language from the medical profession about chronic ailments.

Large scale environmental themed monotype and monochrome prints, highlighting forest protests and environmental collapse form part three of the exhibition. These works, by Melbourne-based printmaker Sarah McConnell, form part of the BREAKING series of 57 monotypes that were based on articles released in the Guardian newspaper about extreme weather events.

Dr. Thomas A Middlemost, Art Curator, CSU Art Collection and Curator of this exhibition said, “This is a timely exhibition - considering the failed First Nations voice referendum; the current inquiry into Women’s Pain by the Victorian Government, which intends to inform improved models of care and service delivery for girls and women experiencing pain in the future; and considering the ongoing climate crisis. These three social issues, and their effect on our changing social contract, are explored by Sarah McConnell, Michelle Hamer and Kevin Gilbert - three diverse printmakers at greatly different stages of their artistic practice; activist artists whose text and images speak volumes.”

Gallery Coordinator Raymond Wholohan said, “We are delighted to be hosting these works from the CSU Art Collection. We have been fortunate to be able to access works from the collection previously, and this particular exhibition features a range of different, very interesting and accomplished artworks.”

The exhibition opened to the public on Saturday 15 February, with a launch for this exhibition, and announcement of all coming exhibitions for the year ahead, to be held at the Gallery on Friday 21 February at 6pm. All are welcome to attend.

CSU Art Curator, Dr Thomas A. Middlemost, will be delivering a floor talk about the “What We Owe…” exhibition on Saturday 22 February at 2pm.

For additional information, please contact Griffith Regional Art Gallery on 6962 8338 or via email: gallery@griffith.nsw.gov.au . Griffith Regional Art Gallery is proudly sponsored by Dee Vine Wines.

https://www.michellehamer.com/ - https://sarah-mcconnell.com.au/ - https://ia.anu.edu.au/biography/gilbert-kevin-john-18569

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