People love a good mystery. That was the enticement behind the current exhibition at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Gallery’s latest exhibition where the artist’s identity was a surprise until the doors opened.
Here are some clues given to the public:
The artist was born and raised in Gunnedah
Lives on a farm near Barraba
Her favourite colour is orange and guests at the opening were invited to wear it.
While it was a puzzle for some, many guessed it was Helene Hunt and showed up in numbers to support the opening.
Helene Hunt at the opening, surrounded by her grandchildren in the foreground.
She often signs her works as ‘Haggy’ – a fond nickname used by family members which was also the name given to the exhibition.
She was surrounded by plenty of family and friends to see her solo exhibition debut.
Helene’s grandchildren were evidently excited to celebrate Haggy and gathered around her when addressing the full gallery of people.
Helene thanked Gunnedah Cultural Precinct’s Jade Punch for her role in making the exhibition come together.
“Jade has just suited me,” she said.
Helene will often start a painting to see where it will take her. The final display is just a fraction of the artworks at her home studio.
Bright colours and specifically orange were a motif throughout the gallery. Its subjects were often animals, landscapes and women’s bodies.
The exhibition will continue to until mid October.
Colleen Fuller, Helene Hunt and Jade Punch.
Jenny Finlay, Amie Hunt and Lyn Hills.
Owen Tydd, Wendy Smith and Sandra Tydd.
Joanna Biggar, Alex and Jenny Wharton .
