A sense of belonging on canvas

ELIZABETH Conway will explore what it means to belong in a new exhibition at the Old Church on the Hill from Tuesday 14 July.

As a practising artist who lives and works in Bendigo, a collection of her still life and landscape paintings that celebrate connection, place and everyday beauty will be part of the showcase called Belonging.

Conway said the name and theme of the exhibition came about courtesy of the venue it will be held in.

“I think it’s the most fantastic space for community,” she said.

“That’s what the Old Church on the Hill is all about, it’s inclusive and it’s great for people to be able to access artworks that they may not normally be able to.

“People that normally might not necessarily be able to get to a gallery, they can go to the church and view local art, which I think is super important.”

She said a lot of the artworks she has selected to be exhibited are still life depictions of treasured things that she owns.

“Family treasures like my mother’s mosaic table that she created and clocks and things that were my grandmother’s,” she explained.

“I do choose a lot of things that belong to me and have a connection to me and a special meaning, a sense of belonging.

“I don’t know if the viewer will pick that up, but it’s a personal exhibition in that way.

“It’s also nice to have it somewhere that’s not a fancy gallery where people feel a bit uncomfortable going into the space.

“It’s accessible for everybody.”

Belonging takes place from Tuesday 14 July until 18 September at the Old Church on the Hill, 36 Russell Street, Quarry Hill.

Opening hours are Tuesdays and Fridays 10am to 1pm and the first and third Sundays of the month from 10am to 12.30pm.

Conway will also be participating in Bendigo Open Studios on the weekend of Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October.