Mudgee Arts Precinct celebrates rural life

Published on 06 February 2025

Mudgee Arts Precinct is pleased to present the first two exhibitions for 2025, each celebrating rural life.

The Good is a major new solo exhibition by Western Australian artist Anna Louise Richardson. Based in Mundijong on Whadjuk Nyoongar Boodja in the Peel Region, Richardson works primarily in large scale drawing, rendering realistic scenes of her rural life as part of a multi-generational farming family. This exhibition is curated by Rachel Arndt and Dr Lee-Anne Hall.

“My work is autobiographical, chronicling my life through the objects around me, objects that are steeped in meaning and memory, yet are present in many people’s realities. The scale of my drawings bring their stories to life,” Anna Louise Richardson said.

“I hope that The Good will bring something familiar to regional audiences nationwide and spark a connection between my life and theirs. Together we can see the good in all things.”

The concurrent exhibition, Udder Bliss: Life on the Farm features works by artists who have explored their own farming life, including one of Australia’s foremost landscape artists, William Robinson.

Other artists include Rosalind Atkins, Jenny Bell, Philip Davey, Kit Hiller, Nick Howson, Janet Luxton and Jimmy Rix. Udder Bliss: Life on the Farm is in partnership with Australian Galleries.

Renowned for his distinctive interpretation of the Australian landscape, William Robinson is equally admired for his whimsical portraits and narrative scenes. His works in this exhibition are a joyful exploration of the unpredictable, hectic facets of farm life, dominated by self-portraits with curious cows and chaotic chickens. William Robinson was awarded the Archibald Prize in 1987 and 1995. In 2001, a retrospective of his work was presented at the Queensland Art Gallery and in 2009 the William Robinson Gallery was established at the QUT campus in Old Government House.

Both exhibitions are open from 7 February to 23 March 2025. To learn more, visit the MAP website at mudgeeartsprecinct.com.au

Mudgee Arts Precinct is open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm. Entry is free.