A BRAG Foyer Space Exhibition The Duiwan River

Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) presents The Duiwan River by Anne Graham.

Rivers carve passages through our landscapes, a river in all its beauty and grandeur can take us on a journey from source to sea encapsulating the elegance and flow of water on the move.

I live and work above the Duiwan River (Cox’s River) in the Kanimbla Valley, in Gundungurra Country NSW. The elemental force of the river has created this valley, and the river is its life blood. Home to platypus, trout and many small creatures, my children, and grandchildren swim in the river, climb the waterfalls and delight in the rivers’ inhabitants.

Human impact from contemporary urbanisation, industry and mining have seen many significant and negative effects on the river system. The closure of power stations and increased environmental awareness has meant that life in the river has slowly returned with platypus, eastern water rats and a variety of water bird species sighted in larger numbers. However, the threats to the river continue as industry propose to release vast quantities of polluted water into the tributaries which feed into The Duiwan River. This would cause great damage to the life of the river and would also eventually reach Warragamba Dam and Sydney’s drinking water supply.

My work has been deeply influenced by the extraordinary beauty of my home environment, the view of the escarpment from my window and by the ever-changing river. Using ‘Lidar’ Satellite Map technology to provide detailed information about the contours of The Duiwan River, I have illuminated the colours and curves of the Kanimbla Valley, and the image of the river meanders across the seven windows of the Foyer Gallery. I have used recycled material in the creation of the work, mainly recycled woollen blankets, felted, and dyed and I have hand cut the fabric in response to the contours of the maps.

Inspired by Fukuda Chiyo-ni, Japanese poet and Buddhist nun, wishing “to teach her heart to be like the clear water which flows night and day." I hope my work will draw attention to the necessity of saving these magical First Nation Heritage places and I acknowledge the debt and respect we owe to the Traditional Custodians of the land.