Bellenden Women

The exhibition, ‘Bellenden Women’ focuses the lives and histories of women who have lived on “Bellenden Plains” since the 1880’s.   “Bellenden Plains” is a cattle property situated on a flood plain in North Queensland and the women are my ancestors and family – Barbara Henry Snr, Elizabeth Henry, Barbara Sparvell, Gladys Henry and Wendy Henry.

A strong attachment to place is not just about geographic location.  It is about the experience of living and how the history of living in one place affects relationships to that place.  It is about memory, belonging, family, time, effort, tenacity, co-operation, heartbreak, happiness, fear, hardship, contentment, sadness and the weather.  Place and how we relate to it is emotive, spiritual and physical, and integral to how we make sense of our individualities. Exhibited at Wesley Hospital, Brisbane September 2001 and University of Southern Qld Gallery Toowoomba, November 2001