The Alternative Archive – Truth, Myths & Legends of the Midwest
Geraldton Regional Art Gallery
May 31 – JuLY 21 2019

Click here to view the Truth, Myths & Legends of the Midwest Catalogue

 

 

Images of some of the artworks featured in the show:


Local Curator: Ingrid Horn (mentored locally by Eve York)

Lead Curator: Anna Louise Richardson

Participating Artists: Charmaine Green, Ellen Boardhurst, Marianne Penberthy, Helen Ansell, Zac Bruce, Ellen Norrish, Marina Baker, Roy Merritt, Mark Smith, Julie Dowling, Jason Stacey and Craig Allsop.

Exhibition theme:

Archives exist but are not always questioned.  Still, over time documents and stories may be accepted as ‘Truth’, even though what they represent is a selective version of events, not necessarily impartial.

The European history of Australia is seemingly well-documented. Histories recorded in photos, memoirs, art and text have become the source material of many archives.  Looking closely however, we find details and stories that are concealed or hidden from view. The Aboriginal stories, the colonial stories, the overlap and overlay of truth, myth and legend may create a new form of archive.

In this iteration of The Alternative Archive exhibition artists personally connect with their Midwest communities and the stories they need to tell.  Artists highlight the loss of Aboriginal language, the quirkiness of private collections, the hierarchy inherent in archives, the deeply personal stories of people living in the Midwest and individual connections to land.

Exhibition Photographers: Cam Starcevich, James Thompson


INSIGHT INTO PROJECT DEVELOPMENT:

“It is a wonderful opportunity to learn from experienced curators and be guided by them through the curatorial process.  I feel very lucky to be involved in the project.” (Ingrid Horn, Nov 2019)

“I’m excited to be a part of this project, working with a diverse range of talented regional based artists in exploring a theme that encourages us to dig a little deeper into the history of our local areas.” (Helen Ansell, artist Nov 2018)

PICTURED ABOVE: Artists meet at the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery to discuss early ideas for the exhibition. L – R Marianne Penberthy, Helen Ansell, Ingrid Horn, Zac Bruce, Eve York and Lizzy Robinson. Photo by Ellen Norrish.