Reflection - 15 Sep to 3 Oct 2025

Reflection – Celebrating the life and work of a local artist.

Special Event Exhibition Opening: 5pm Mon 15th Sep 2025 Griffith Regional Theatre - ALL WELCOME TO ATTEND

Opening: Mon 15th Sep 2025
Closing: Fri 3rd Oct 2025

Situated outside Griffith Regional Theatre is an incredible piece of art, a mural, known as “Charcoal Reign” painted by the late Wiradjuri artist, Ver*nica Collins (1962-2022).

At 5.00pm on Monday 15 September, a plaque commemorating the life and work of Ms Collins will be unveiled by her family and Mayor of Griffith City Council, Doug Curran. This event coincides with a retrospective exhibition of artworks created by Ms Collins that are currently on display inside the Theatre foyer, in the “Artspace” Gallery space until Friday 3rd October.

This collection, curated by Griffith Regional Art Gallery Coordinator Melanie Toscan, along with members of Veronica Collins’ family, ranges from her earlier works where she was working predominantly with acrylic on canvas, to her later works where she practiced mediums such as painting, print-making, textiles and mixed media, sometime incorporating natural elements such as sand alongside fabric and applied with paint.

Ms Collins’ artistic career began in the early 1990’s and she held exhibitions in both metropolitan and regional galleries. Her work is held in several collections both overseas and in Australia. Her
work explores cultural, historic and socio-political themes, speaking truth to power and asserting and celebrating the unceded sovereignty of First Nations People. One of her most public works is the mural adorning the Eastern wall of the amphitheatre outside Griffith Regional Theatre. It is based on the Waterholes design, which is one of the five designs that Ms Collins was culturally authorised to paint. Each design was passed down by her mother, representing a different story in her family’s cultural history.

All are invited to attend the unveiling of the plaque on Monday 15 September at 5pm, and to view the exhibition. The exhibition will remain on display in the Theatre foyer until Friday 3 October.

The project is supported by the Charles' Family, Western Riverina Arts, Griffith Regional Art Gallery, and Griffith Regional Theatre.