Join co- curators Dr Leo Robba and Margaret Hancock for an informative look at the Painted River Project: Blue Mountains Rare Upland Swamps currently on display at the Margaret Whitlam Galleries

Curator tours will be held on Thursday 1 June and Thursday 29 June at 2pm at Margaret Whitlam Galleries

The Painted River Project is an art, science and cultural initiative that creates space for diverse community members to share knowledge and build understanding of how we live with the natural world. It aims to nurture transformative thinking and collective action around one of Australia’s most contested topics – water.

The Painted River Project explores the swamps of UNESCO World Heritage Listed Greater Blue Mountains Area in particular the Leura Swamp and Garguree, The Gully, Katoomba. These swamps play a vital part in maintaining the water flows in the creeks and waterfalls in the Blue Mountains, by storing water and slowly releasing it over time. The Swamps also act as filters, purifying water prior to the release into creeks, whilst also providing vital habitat for threatened plant, insect, and animal species.

The exhibition features artworks painted en plein air and in response to the upland swamps.
Exhibiting artists: Lucy Culliton, Chris O’Doherty (Reg Mombassa), Euan Macleod, Adrienne Richards, Leo Robba with emerging Gundungurra artist Kelsie King. Western Sydney University team: water scientist Associate Professor Dr Ian Wright, digital artists Dr Greg Hughes and Matthew Lahoud; and University photographer Sally Tsoutas. Gundungarra traditional custodian: David King

This exhibition is co-curated by Dr Leo Robba and Margaret Hancock and is a joint project with the University Gallery, Newcastle University
The Painted River Project is a planetary health initiative devised by Dr Leo Robba from Western Sydney University School of Humanities Communication Arts and Professor Tony Capon from Monash University in partnership with Associate Professor Ian Wright from Western Sydney University School of Science.

Exhibition runs 4 May – 14 July

The Margaret Whitlam Galleries are open to the public on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Opening hours : 10am - 4pm

Whitlam Institute, Female Orphan School, Building EZ, Western Sydney University, Parramatta South Campus, Corner of James Ruse Drive and Victoria Road, Rydalmere