Art + Culture
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The Clarence is a cultural treasure trove where you can spend days browsing art and craft galleries, individual artists studios, antique and collectible stores or explore heritage trails and uncover history at eight different museums.
There are classic country pubs, funky cafes, award-winning restaurants and an abundance of fetes, fairs and festivals.
The Plunge Art and Culture Festival is a key event in the Clarence Valley calendar. Featuring music, dance, exhibitions, open studios, workshops, art and craft, food and theatre performances, this festival attracts thousands of visitors to the region for its duration.
Other recommended local galleries include; Iluka Emporium, Ferry Park Gallery, King Studio, Witzig Gallery and Grafton Regional Art Gallery.
Header image credit:
Yarrawali Aagalgu (River to Sea)
© Frances Belle Parker (Yaegl), 2021
Giclee Print on archival quality paper
Artist Statement
‘Yarrawali Aagalgu’(River to Sea) is a representation of mighty Biirrinba (Clarence River) – the
majestic river that connects our land to the sea. This my homage to Biirrinba.
Myself, and all Yaegl people, see our river as a life-giving vein and the natural river path makes this
explicitly so. It is our connection between our Yaegl towns of Maclean, Yamba, and Iluka and their
direct line to the sea. These towns are equally evident within this work and are equally special places
on Yaegl land, holding as many stories as our river does.
By mapping Biirrinba through the bold and striking white and blue overlay, I am able to put the river
at the forefront of the piece. The dashes used throughout the piece swirl in from various angles like
the ebb and flow of the river, or the seemingly random night sky (emphasised with the inclusion of
three bright stars that represent my two sisters and I). They also remind us of schools of fish and
prawns of which our river has an abundance.
Beneath the overlay is a stretch of Biirrinba that curves its way from Maclean past Woodford Island.
The surrounding hills of Illarwil and Ashby help frame the river, creating a strong focal point. The
colours used on the hills and the river are those we see during the most beautiful time of day in
Maclean, sunset.
Beneath the overlay is a stretch of Biirrinba that curves its way from Maclean past Woodford Island.
The surrounding hills of Illarwil and Ashby help frame the river, creating a strong focal point. The
colours used on the hills and the river are those we see during the most beautiful time of day in
Maclean, sunset.