Reviews on Inside Out Upside Down Gallery Site
Anna Henderson, Portraits of the Land, Haydon Hall, Murrurundi, NSW, Australia 6 October - 31 October 2010
I came across this exhibition while in Murrurundi for the Norville Art Prize opening night. The town had suffered a two hour black out that ended just as I arrived and so the following morning I had a quick look at the galleries (of which there are three) planned. I only made it to Haydon Hall gallery as the day was exceptionally cold and there was a slight hale storm. The gallery is in what used to be a bank building that has been fitted out to provide a beautifully presented gallery space.
Anna lives in the Guyra area which is to the north of Murrurundi and she has in this exhibition expressed her connection to her home locality. I was fortunate in having travelled through the Guyra area only last weekend and could make a visual connection with much of Anna's work. Even without this contextual link the works form a cohesive grouping, expressing a sense of belonging that borders on a sense of comfortable connection.
The works consist of acrylic paintings, beautifully executed oil pastels that I found the most appealing and ceramic works that stand out as the work of an exceptional artist. There is a sense of similarity between the ceramics and two dimensional works that is intriguing. The feeling and visual impact of the exhibition is consistant throughout with no peice being a visual or technical disappointment. These are definitly works that I could live with for a long time.
I recommend a trip to Murrurundi to see this exhibition and see the local art galleries. The town, its friendly people and the surrounding countryside are interesting enough to justify the long drive from Sydney for a weekend.
author: Neil Miley