To commemorate the 100th anniversary of settlement in Northcliffe, a small town in the State’s Southwest, a new exhibition showcases the unique role women have played across the region’s history.
Opening on Good Friday, 29th March at The Painted Tree Gallery, Northcliffe, the 100♀ exhibition highlights women and women’s creativity from pre-settlement to modern times.
100♀ curator, Greer Marns says “the exhibition will showcase the work of 22 artists and reflect on Northcliffe’s rich history, diverse landscape, and creative culture through
the lens of women.” Themes explored include acknowledgement of the traditional custodians of the area (Bibulmun/Piblemen/ Noongar people), one hundred years of settlement, dairy and tobacco farming, logging and the era of protests against deforestation. From pre settlement to the early days of settlement where necessity bred creative work, through to contemporary times where artists create in studios amongst ancient trees, Northcliffe is a place that inspires creativity.
Ms Marns says, “100♀ is an exhibition seeking to uncover creative acts by women, tendering an often-untold perspective. Historically,” she says “women’s roles have been less in the public realm than men’s and statistically, women’s creativity is less likely to be showcased, particularly in larger state or National art galleries”.
The opening at 3.30pm on March 29th will include a Welcome to Country by Bibbulmun Elder, Aunty Suzanne Kelly, a poetry recital by Claudette Mountjoy and live music by Helen Rose.
100♀ presents a diverse spectrum of women’s creative practice, from historical to contemporary, traversing a broad range of subjects as varied as Northcliffe’s resourceful, creative history and it’s more recent and indeed current artistic culture.
The exhibition runs until May 12th 2024. It is presented by local community cultural organisation Southern Forest Arts.
List of exhibiting artists:
- Holly Booth (Baldivis)
- Aimee Dickson (Northcliffe)
- Megan Evans (Perth)
- Linda Guiness (Bunbury)
- Carmen Griffen (Margaret River)
- Joanne Janicke (Northcliffe)
- Kay Manolas (Quindalup)
- Greer Marns (Perth)
- Claudette Mountjoy (Northcliffe)
- Marite Norris (Perth)
- Elke Paull-Keller (Northcliffe)
- Lori Pensini (Boyup Brook)
- Helen Seiver (Stirling Estate)
- Penelope Scull (Australind)
- Marion Squire (Northcliffe)
- Rae Starr (Quinninup)
- Elmari Steyn (Northcliffe)
- Kerry Tease (Manjimup)
- Sherisse Todd (Dunsborough)
- Sarah Walker (Walpole)
- Chloe Wilder (Margaret River)
- Penny Wood (Northcliffe)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Greer Marns (Curator)
P: 0403 384 487
E: greerjmarns@gmail.com
Fiona Sinclair (Artistic Director/General Manager – Southern Forest Arts)
P: 0418 754 704
E: fiona@southernforestarts.com.au
www.southernforestarts.com.au
Feature image caption: Participating artist, Helen Seiver (left), a former Northcliffe resident, pictured with her work for the exhibition, Cherish, created from heritage lino fragments. Exhibition curator, Greer Marns (right), pictured in front of her artwork for the exhibition, May, inspired by Northcliffe pioneer, Mrs May Moore.