Local artists work now ‘In Situ’ as expo opens

Artists Clementine McIntosh and Leilani Knight will have their art showcased until mid next month, and they are both thrilled to be able to bring their work to their home town.

“We were excited to showcase these works within our local community so that it was accessible for our friends and family that have all influenced and support- ed our art careers,” said Ms McIntosh.

“For me personally, my art practice has always been influenced by growing up in a farming community in close proximity to nature, so it only seemed right to cen- tre this exhibition back to that in Gil.”

In Situ refers to being in the original place, which both Ms McIntosh and Ms Knight’s art is interested in. “The artworks were made in situ in our original

hometown Gilgandra,” said Ms McIntosh.
Ms McIntosh’s pieces are a series of artworks paint-

ed on found and gifted materials local to Gilgandra.
“I collected wool packs used on my family’s proper- ty and old painters drop sheets from David and Michael at Paint ‘n’ Plus, as well as second hand quilting fabrics from Carole Spora and Helen Ferguson at Gilgandra

Retirement Village,” she said.
“The drop sheets were mended with the collected

fabric scraps and dyed with plant-based dyes made from native gum trees on the farm. These pieces were then displayed in the interior of the gallery and outside between trees where they will slowly weather.” Interested in creating a localised art making practice

within rural communities, Ms McIntosh opted to only using local materials, and collaborating with the envi- ronment. “The works represent small interactions and exchanges that I had with people and places in Gilgandra and how that builds a sense of belonging,” she said.

Both artists grew up for at least a portion of their childhood in Gilgandra, and have always referred to it as their hometown.

Ms McIntosh hopes that local audiences look at the work with some sense of familiarity for either the colours, materials, or stories being told.

“It’s one thing to see these objects in everyday life, but when they get placed within an art gallery context it gains more prominence and value which is important to highlight in regional towns,” she said.

“For visiting audiences I hope this gives some insights into what constitutes Gilgandra in a different form of art making to what they might be used to.”

Leaving Gilgandra when she graduated Gilgandra High School, Ms McIntosh was off to complete her bachelors degree in fire arts at the National Art School in Sydney.

“I had a year of exhibitions and residencies in 2021 where I travelled between Gilgandra, Sydney, Titjikala in outback NT, and Brisbane,” she said.

“I just completed my honours in visual arts at the ANU School of Art and Design in Canberra where I was awarded a scholarship, exhibitions, and prizes upon graduation. My next exhibition is a solo show at Goulburn Regional Gallery later this month which I welcome any locals to come along to.”