Exhibition documents epic journey

LOCAL farmer, art teacher and painter Elizabeth Conway has chronicled a year-long trip around Australia that she took in 2023 with her husband, and will present artworks from the journey in a new exhibition at Dudley House.

Created using gouache on paper and oil on canvas, some of the subjects the pieces capture include secluded beach vistas, diverse forests and outback hills.

Conway said the epic adventure, at one point in which her 4WD caught fire and burnt to the ground with almost everything in it, gave her the opportunity to explore Australia in a way that she never had before.

Nobody was hurt and Conway’s paintings were among the very few items salvaged.

“Everywhere we went, there was a rich variety of scenes, cultures, and experiences that influenced this body of work, which now serves as a visual diary of artworks created during the 12-month journey,” she said.

Conway said the works featured in the exhibition aren’t about how she painted them, rather, they’re about the place.

“It’s a cliché, but a very true one – it’s not the destination but the journey that counts,” she said.

“Despite the tragic loss of most of our possessions, this trip created memories and helped us to learn, listen, have gratitude, and most importantly – to grow.”

The Long Road Home – A journey of self-discovery runs from Friday 15 November to Tuesday 26 November at Dudley House in View Street, with food and refreshments provided on the opening evening from 6.30pm.