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‘Air to the Drone’ was one of the very first artworks Adam Hill (now known by the moniker Blak Douglas) ever made. A profoundly pivotal and personal work, ‘Air to the Drone’ illustrates both Douglas’ initiation towards grasping the concept of spirituality from a tribal perspective, as well as his bourgeoning passion for playing Didgeridoo.
After a chance meeting with Yolngu performers from North-East Arnhem Land at the Sydney Opera House in 1998, Douglas travelled to Nhulunbuy (Gove) upon invitation from the Munyarrun family to learn more about playing, philosophising, and making the Yidaki (the original Didgeridoo). ‘Air to the Drone’ depicts the Yidaki that soon thereafter came into Douglas’ possession; a Yidaki that was originally made by Djakapurra Munyarrun for his brother Jonathon to be played at the closing of the Atlanta Olympic games in 1996.
‘Blak Douglas: The Halfway Line’ continues in our Main Gallery until 20 July, open daily from 10am-4pm.
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Adam Hill, ‘Air to the Drone,’ 1999, synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 138 x 105cm, detail image. Photography: Silversalt photography.
‘Blak Douglas: The Halfway Line’ is a mid-career survey exhibition encompassing the expansive and incisive career of First Nations artist Blak Douglas, with some of his earliest works from 1998 onwards included in what is the largest single presentation of his work.
His 2014 work ‘Trouble or Nothing’ - a work made entirely of sovereign currency - offers just one example of the material breadth of Douglas’ practice, which spans painting, photography, drawing, sculpture, major public artworks and performance. In its totality, Douglas’ body of work harnesses the capacity for art to function as a powerful, striking means to affect real and symbolic change.
‘Blak Douglas: The Halfway Line’ continues in our Main Gallery, open daily from 10am-4pm.
@blakdouglas
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Blak Douglas: The Halfway Line, installation views, Penrith Regional Gallery, Home of The Lewers Bequest, 2025. Photography: Silversalt photography.
Last weekend, we were joined by the community to celebrate the finalists and award winners in our 2025 Penrith Youth Art Prize, an annual endeavour that recognises, encourages and celebrates the creative talent of young artists in our local community.
This year, the prize theme was ‘echoing nature’. Young artists aged 5-18 were asked to explore the dynamism and wonder of the natural world, their responding works featuring a vibrant mix of acrylic and watercolour paintings, drawings, prints, photography, collage, and mixed-media.
Twenty-five finalists were selected across two age categories: Primary (5-12yrs) and Secondary (12-18yrs). One winner and two highly commended artists were selected per category, with additional entrants on view in display folders in the exhibition space.
Please join us in congratulating all our young finalists and award winners, and thanking Lynda Henderson, president of the Friends of the Gallery, who presented these awards.
The Penrith Youth Art Prize is exhibiting in our Loungeroom Gallery until 20 July.
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Penrith Youth Art Prize is proudly supported by the Friends of the Gallery, Belle Property Lower Blue Mountains | Nepean, and Eckersley’s Art & Craft.
Photography: Emma Griffiths
Our new exhibition ‘Deadly Arts’ is officially open in Lewers House Gallery, presenting the works of eleven First Nations students and alumni of the Deadly Arts initiative: a program committed to supporting Western Sydney-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in celebrating cultural identity through contemporary art practice.
This artwork, ‘Land, Sea, Sky,’ is a collaborative work created by Deadly Arts students under the guidance of Glen Turner. ‘Land, Sea, Sky’ traces a journey from the dawn of time to what is yet to come, exploring the connection Aboriginal Peoples have had throughout time with Mother Earth, the coming and going of footprints, and the thriving of culture from one generation to the next.
‘Deadly Arts’ is exhibiting in Lewers House Gallery, open daily from 10am-4pm until 20 July.
The Deadly Arts program is based on Dharug land at Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School, delivered in partnership with the NSW Department of Education Arts Unit.
Glen Turner is a proud Gamilaroi man, and the First Nations Arts and Cultural Leader and Educator at Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School.
@nepean_capa_hs
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‘Deadly Arts,’ installation view, Penrith Regional Gallery, Home of the Lewers Bequest, 2025. Photography: Emma Griffiths
BLAK DOUGLAS VS THE COMMONWEALTH (FILM SCREENING) + Q&A | TUESDAY 8 JULY 2025, 7PM
Celebrate NAIDOC Week with the screening of `Blak Douglas vs The Commonwealth` (2024), followed by a Q&A with the artist on Tuesday, 8 July at 7pm at Q Theatre, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith.
Tickets from $15 – spaces are limited. For more information and to book, follow the link in our bio.
The screening of `Blak Douglas vs The Commonwealth` coincides with Blak Douglas` mid-career survey exhibition, `The Halfway Line`, on display at Penrith Regional Gallery, open daily from 10am to 4pm until 20 July 2025.
National NAIDOC Week 2025 runs from 6-13 July and marks 50 years of honoring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. The 2025 theme is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy.
@blakdouglas #NAIDOCWeek2025 #TheJoan #PenrithRegionalGallery
BOBBIN LACE MAKING | SUNDAY 22 JUNE 2025, 10AM - 2:30PM
Join Outer West Lacemakers (OWLS) member Judith Hawkes for an intimate, hands-on introduction to the art of bobbin lace. Learn how to create your own bobbin lace leaf to take with you. All materials included.
Due to popular demand, this workshop, originally delivered as part of the Lace Series public program, is now being offered in an extended format within the Adult Workshop series.
Book online: https://www.penrithregionalgallery.com.au/events/beginner-bobbin-lace-workshop/
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@owlsnsw
Photography: Elyn Brey
Last weekend, as part of his major mid-career survey exhibition ‘The Halfway Line,’ Blak Douglas presented his interactive performance ‘Didge You Know.’
The performance took place on our Autumn Open Day on Saturday 31 May, during a special lunchtime session. Douglas shared personal stories and insights into his creative journey, connecting deeply with visitors through the resonant sounds of the didgeridoo.
Douglas spoke of his learnings from the custodians of North East Arnhem Land, the Yolngu, and he shared the cultural significance and origins of the Didgeridoo. This performance offered a unique opportunity not only to learn about the instrument’s different playing styles in different geographic regions, but also to hear first-hand the moments that shaped Douglas’ artistic motivations and career.
Blak Douglas’ mid-career survey exhibition ‘The Halfway Line’ is exhibiting at Penrith Regional Gallery, open daily from 10am-4pm until 20 July 2025.
@blakdouglas
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Documentation: Daniel Dela Cruz
@danieldelacruz
@clickmedia.au
In case you haven`t heard...
Applications for our ANCHER POINTS: EMERGING ARTIST PROGRAM are due today, at 11.59pm AEST!
If you`re an emerging artist with a connection to Greater Western Sydney you can find out more and apply by visiting the `NEWS` page on our website: https://www.penrithregionalgallery.com.au/ancher-points-2025/
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Images: Ancher House, Penrith Regional Gallery NSW State Archives
#ancherpoints #ancherpoints2025
AUTUMN OPEN DAY | SATURDAY 31 MAY, 10AM - 2PM
We’re super excited to welcome you to our Autumn Open Day tomorrow!
PROGRAM
10AM-2PM | Participatory Weaving Demonstration | Succulent Garden
10AM-2PM | Drop-in Artmaking Activities | Roving - All Site
10:30AM | Deadly Arts Official Opening | Lewers House
10:45AM - 11:30AM | Live music with Elina Roberts-Turner | Succulent Garden
11:30AM | Penrith Youth Art Prize Opening and Award Ceremony | Loungeroom Darren Knight Gallery
12PM | Curatorial Tour: Blak Douglas The Halfway Line | Main Gallery
1PM | Blak Douglas: Didge You Know performance | Main Gallery
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Our Autumn Open Day is a free, family-friendly event taking place on Saturday, 31 May from 10am to 2pm. Enjoy live music, drop-in artmaking activities, a performance by exhibiting artist Blak Douglas, and the official openings of our Deadly Arts exhibition and the 2025 Penrith Youth Art Prize.
For the full Autumn Open Day program, visit our website via the link in our bio.
PORCELAIN SMALL SCULPTURE ADULT WORKSHOP | SUNDAY 15 JUNE 2025, 10AM - 3PM
Set in the Penrith Regional Gallery studios, join Blue Mountains Art Prize 2024, winner Sharron Mountain to explore the delicate white porcelain clay medium. Make your own bespoke porcelain small sculpture in the workshop where your creative flow will be guided and nurtured by Sharron. No ceramic experience necessary.
Book online: https://www.penrithregionalgallery.com.au/events/porcelain-small-sculptures/
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@s_mountainceramics
Photography: Sharron Mountai
Winner Spotlight!
Congratulations to Abbie-Rose Whale, the winner of the Secondary (12 - 18 years) category of the Penrith Youth Art Prize 2025.
Abbie-Rose Whale, ‘Dupe,’ 2025, colour pencil on paper.
“Dupe explores the irony of synthetic nature—plastic plants mimicking life, yet devoid of it. This hyperreal drawing invites reflection on how we engage with nature in a world increasingly shaped by artificiality. Though the subject is a lifeless replica, it still evokes our innate connection to the natural world. The work questions what is lost in translation when nature is reduced to commodity, yet acknowledges that even imitation can remind us of what is essential.”
Also, well done to Alicia Buttigieg and Anastasia Fairy for receiving Highly Commended awards.
To view the works of these young artists, visit the Lounge Room Gallery, open daily from Saturday 24 May to Sunday 20 July 2025.
Image 1: Abbie-Rose Whale, ‘Dupe,’ 2025. Courtesy the artist.
Image 2: Alicia Buttigieg, ‘Small Echo Loud Noise, Loud Echo Small Noise,’ 2025. Courtesy the artist.
Image 3: Anastasia Fairy, ‘Connection - Series,’ 2025. Courtesy the artist.
LIVE MUSIC WITH SINGER-SONGWRITER ELINA ROBERTS-TURNER | AUTUMN OPEN DAY – SATURDAY 31 MAY, 10:45AM - 11:30AM
We’re excited to welcome back emerging Gamilaroi singer-songwriter Elina Roberts-Turner to Penrith Regional Gallery!
Elina, who launched her debut EP here in 2024, returns with her unmistakable voice and raw storytelling in a special live performance from 10:45AM – 11:30AM, as part of Autumn Open Day this Saturday.
Her performance is part of the opening celebrations, which include the official opening of the Deadly Arts exhibition at 10:30AM, followed by the 2025 Penrith Youth Art Prize at 11:30AM.
Free, no bookings required.
Our Autumn Open Day is a free, family-friendly event taking place on Saturday, 31 May from 10am to 2pm. Enjoy live music, drop-in artmaking activities, a performance by exhibiting artist Blak Douglas, and the official openings of our Deadly Arts exhibition and the 2025 Penrith Youth Art Prize.
For the full Autumn Open Day program, visit our website via the link in our bio.
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@elinarobertsturner Images: Elina Roberts Turner
