top of page

Helen McCullagh

Emily Imeson

Murray My Darling,
I am sorry it is late,
I hope not too…
You still look good,
Glitter upon your surface
For now
How long until you join your Darling?
Dry
Lifeless
Below I see you are troubled
Dead trees stand tall - a reminder of our impact
I see your old, tired, tide lines
I see you are bleeding
I see people bleed you
Your lifeless trees dance to songs at dusk and dawn
They provide shelter for so much life
I see nature exhausting herself
Resilience
Survival
I still find you beautiful
Breathtaking
Breathing
Breath
Life
Death

Life
 

b.jpg

This body of works was painted during my time in the Riverlands, South Australia, a place where life evolves around the Murray River. I lived with the water at my door and painted each work in an outdoor studio (a roll of canvas hanging off the roof rack of my car and pieces of ply wood on the ground). My neighbours include the birds in the artworks, singing songs of resilience and hope.Sitting by the water painting the transition from pre-dawn to sunrise, I was captivated by the beauty of the place.

 

The colours, the birds, the allusive shapes of the deadwood dancing into the morning.A slither of the moon smiling at the lone star. From soft greys, deep reds, pink then sun!The Murray is just kms down stream from the dry Darling River, I worry for the future of the waters I lived on. Whilst living along the Murray River I have learnt some troubling things regarding the  mass production of thirsty mono crops, ignorant international companies, struggling locals, and a challenged river system. My paintings are moody reflections documenting life found in an ecosystem under stress. They focus on the beauty I found and hang as a reminder to nurture our environment before it is too late.

13.jpg

South Australian Neighbours

​

82 x 119cm

Acrylic on Canvas

$2200

c.jpg
a.jpg

​

Education:


Southern Cross University, 2016, Bachelor of Visual Arts
Lismore Regional Gallery, 2015, Internship
Southbank Institute of Technology, 2013, Diploma of Visual Arts
Upcoming Group:
2019, Memory and Landscape, Allison Kate Bellinger Gallery, Inverell
2019, 25 of 25, Alumni exhibition Southern Cross University, Lismore


Solo Exhibitions:

2019, Emily Imeson, A.K.Bellinger Gallery, Inverell
2019, Memories of Place, Dungog Contemporary, NSW
2018, Experienced Landscapes II, Northern Rivers Community Gallery, Ballina
2017, Experienced Landscapes, Lone Goat Gallery Byron Bay
2016, Portraits of Landscapes, Pearces Creek Hall NSW


Selected Group Exhibitions:
2019, Macquarie Group Emerging Artist Prize, Sydney
2019, John Villers Outback Art Prize, Winton QLD
2019, Beverley Art Prize, WA
2018, The Other Art Fair, Sydney
2017, The Goat Show, Lone Goat Gallery, Byron Bay
2017, The Lloyd Rees Memorial Youth Art Awards, Lane Cove Gallery, Sydney
2015, Transit, Gallery 1.29 Lismore
2015, Calibre, Gallery 1.29 Lismore
2014, Autonomania, Gallery 1.29 Lismore
2013, Aspect, Southbank Institute of TAFE


Awards:

2019, Macquarie Group Emerging Artist Prize, Recipient, Sydney
2019, Honourable Mention Award, John Villers Outback Art Prize, Winton QLD
2016-2018, Young Regional Artist Scholarship, ARTS NSW
2014-2016, Rising Star Scholarship, The New Camera House Lismore


Collections:
Macquarie Group, Northern Rivers Community Gallery, Ballina Shire Council, and multiple Private collections

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

bottom of page