CONTROVERSIAL AND POLITICAL - THIS ARTIST STANDS HER GROUND

Raising awareness on the 'Stolen Generations' is the theme for a controversial and political art exhibition titled "Identity" to be staged in regional Australia at Jayes Gallery in Molong NSW.

Why at Molong, why controversial? The artist has chosen to combine the stories of the Aboriginal children of the Stolen Generations as well as the children of Fairbridge Farm School, who from 1938 to 1974 were taken from England through misinformation to live in the institutional Fairbridge Farm School.

Nyree (Ngari) Reynolds is a quiet, unassuming and tiny woman who is not afraid to paint the subjects near to her heart. She expresses herself with the vivid colours of the outback, strong contemporary works on stories close to her 'Spirit'. The children of these paintings float, thin, abandoned and ephemeral in the desert landscape. Almost not there, they convey a strong message that brings home the sadness of the generation that were also taken from their parents. These are images to be taken seriously, with respect as they reach deep into the soul. You cannot escape their message. They reach into your hearts to express their meaning. Controversial and political - this artist stands her ground.

Nyree has this to say of her work "A childhood lasts for a lifetime is the reasoning behind my exhibition 'Identity' where I explore separation of Indigenous and non Indigenous children from their families due to Australian and British Government policies. As a Gamilaraay woman I have previously painted the Stolen Generations children but after being told many times that the white kids suffered too I decided to read as much as I could on the subject of the British child migrants. Through that process I met David Hill who introduced me to some of the British child migrants who were sent to Fairbridge Farm School in Molong, who are now adults and who have been so supportive in telling me their stories some of which I have interpreted in my art. This is the first time their stories have been told in this way so the journey I have undertaken through doing these works has shown me that is is imperative that the removal of children due to their colour or their family situation on such a scale should never happen again."

Indeed, David Hill feels that the exhibition is important enough for him to make a special journey to see the artworks and meet with Nyree to discuss the work.

After winning the Mil-Pra Aboriginal Art Award at Liverpool Regional Museum, she has been noticed by a prominent European collector who is collecting a work from each of her shows. Her works are included in major collections in Australia and her recent history shows a steady rise in acclamation for her works. Truly an artist that is to be watched as her work develops further.

The exhibition opens at Jayes Gallery, 31-33 Gidley Street, Molong with a preview on the Friday night of March 6 at 6.30 pm followed by the official opening on Sunday March 8 at 2.30 pm where a number of surprise guests will be in attendance.

We invite you to attend.