Aunty Rhonda Dixon Grovenor
‘A Week On The River’ artists Clare Britton
‘A Week On The River’, a Bankstown Arts Centre online exhibition, looks through the lens of artists Clare Britton and Aunty Rhonda Dixon Grovenor who walks along the Cooks and offers rare insight into its history and significance.
Including video, audio and sculptures as well as the many walks that you can do, the exhibition also features collaborators Astrida Neimanis and ‘The Mullets’, a river canoe club deeply concerned about the river’s health.
“During the Canterbury Bankstown’s lockdown, the river was as far as we could go,” Clare said.
“That seemed to bring it hugely into focus for many of us and this exhibition pays homage to its beauty, even though it has been through so much with a compromised riverbed and its mouth even being moved to make way for Sydney Airport.
“It also considers how Sydney’s past is contained within the river that moves through Gadigal, Bidgigal Wangal and Gameygal lands.”
Steeped in indigenous and colonial history, the river is also the ideal tool for meditation.
“As part of my research, I went for long walks as I wanted to get to know that body of water with my own body of water,” Clare said.
“This exhibition is a celebration of public space, the Canterbury Bankstown Local Government Area and the transformative act of paying attention to a local waterway.”
On offer until November 20, the exhibition can be viewed at cb.city/clarebritton.
