Local art blossoms at Dogwood Crossing’s latest exhibition

A new exhibit showcasing the beauty of Chinchilla’s delicate wildlife will feature at the John Mullins Memorial Art Gallery this Spring.

A Naturalist’s Life: a response to the flora and fauna of the Western Downs showcases detailed botanical drawings and hand painted ceramics from renowned Queensland naturalist and artist Grace Lithgow and potter Karen Gaskell, both of whom are Chinchilla locals.

Western Downs Regional Council Spokesperson for Community and Cultural Development Kaye Maguire confirms the importance of region-focused art for our galleries.

“Visitors to our galleries will gain insight into some of the Western Downs region’s unique local flora and fauna and how it holds meaning for our artists and our communities,” she said.

“They’ll also get to enjoy seeing our beautiful natural features through the eyes of local artists.”

Grace Lithgow grew up in Chinchilla with an avid interest in the natural world and was encouraged to draw by her mother.

She joined the Chinchilla Field Naturalist’s club in 1969 and worked with the Queensland Museum and Queensland Herbarium to identify many of the Chinchilla areas plants and animals.

Karen Gaskell also fell in love with art as a child, fascinated by moulding the clay mullock heaps she discovered at her grandparents’ house in Eaglehawk, Victoria.

Grace and Karen met in Chinchilla back in 2012 and became fast friends, bonding over their love of art and shared stories.

In 2018, Karen helped Grace moved home, and helped her document her ceramic artwork for acquisition by the Lapunyah Gallery.

Karen assisted by going through each individual piece of art and describing it in detail to allow Grace, who is now visually impaired, to identify and catalogue each piece.

Grace’s botanical drawings have been used in many community projects, including The Roma Plant Trail, the Gurulmundi Wildflower Festival at Miles and the Chinchilla Shire Railway centenary book.

Grace has written several books, including 60 Wattles of the Chinchilla and Murilla Shires, Some Mistletoes and Other Semiparasitic Plants and Plant Treasures and has contributed illustrations to various Chinchilla Field Naturalists’ Club’s books.

Grace is 94 and still resides in Chinchilla.

A Naturalist’s Life runs from 24 August to 12 October 2019.

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Jessica Howard | Communications, Marketing & Design Officer | 07 4679 4135