Reflections

Arts North West created the ‘Reflections’ project to explore regional identities and digitally translate art practices from across the New England North West to a wider audience, while also providing mentoring and skills development opportunities.

Each workshop and artwork added depth and dimension to the narratives of regional life, celebrating the unique identity of the area while building its creative capacity.

The project evolved to acknowledge and explore the journey of natural fibres through various creative disciplines in the region. At its heart, ‘Reflections’ followed the transformation of raw fibres into experiences of knowledge sharing, creative practices, and the creation of contemporary artworks.

Throughout the project, attributes of the countryside were explored and reimagined—from raw cotton in the fields to barks and grasses steeped in history and culture. These materials were transformed and reinterpreted into contemporary artistic practices, connecting the region’s heritage with its evolving creative expression.

The resulting exhibition captured the collective regional identity of the New England North West, showcasing contributions from Uralla, Moree, Armidale, Wallabadah, and beyond.

This project was made possible through funding by Create NSW, Regional Arts Australia, and Regional Arts NSW. Arts North West extends heartfelt thanks to all participants, contributors, artists, and mentors for their invaluable contributions to this journey of creativity, connection, and shared experiences.

‘Reflections’ was delivered by Arts North West and funded by the Regional Arts Fund through Regional Arts NSW.

REFLECTIONS DIGITAL EXHIBITION

‘Reflections’ is a project aimed to provide an opportunity for professional networking through a mentor and mentee process that will strengthen our regional identity, provide creative opportunities to learn, grow and share and explore creative interpretations of our creative landscape.

The ‘Reflections’ project engaged two digital media artists Mike Terry and Suzie Wicks to capture the processes and stories of art making across the North West Region. The artists were paired with aspiring and emerging digital creatives Ijumaa Stephenson and Shae Duncan to capture art-making throughout the North West. The mentors and mentees have captured community arts workshops in the New England North West through digital media.

Focusing on the stories, the interactions, the texture, the materials, and the process of each workshop. Ultimately reflecting on creative practices that bring communities together. This created a space for reflection on the creation of digital stories, that will be shared in the touring exhibition.

The teams have captured workshops though imagery and sound, then worked collaboratively to create innovative digital presentations to share local stories, acknowledge our creative richness, and the story of regional paper making.

The project's aim is to grow our creative base, embrace our similarities, recognise our creative language, and learn from each other.

The Project has created capacity building toward career development in digital media for emerging photographers/videographers and supporting our working artists.

The project has supported the digital creators to visit the venues during the exhibition planning and installation process to grow their skills and learn from gallery curators and exhibition managers.

The stories of creative vitality is shared through this exhibition, extending the theme of ‘Reflection’ while they consider the creative happenings and connectedness through creativity.