Ang Hart at the 2025 Boorowa Art Show
The Boorowa Art Show has always felt like a family celebration for me. A chance to hang my work alongside the town’s vibrant Woolfest festivities where locals and visitors alike can enjoy true country style hospitality. This year the festivities ran from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 October, and the main street transformed into a buzzing hub of colour, music and, of course, the famous “Running of the Sheep”.
Watching the sheep dogs try their best to coax the marching ewes up the street, never fails to make me grin; it’s the kind of chaotic charm that reminds me why I love rural events.
I exhibited two new pieces of art at the Annual Boorowa Art Show. Both from my recent series figuratively depicting the Australian Landscape. The series is yet to have an official name; though for now they are coined the “spooky trees” series (aptly named by my son Austin!). He cannot understand why I paint trees with no leaves! “Why Mum??”
I believe that there is a certain charm to dead trees. Although they’re no longer growing, Australian dead trees (we call them snags) become homes for a wide variety of wildlife, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects, which use natural hollows, fallen logs, and dead branches for shelter, nesting, and foraging. These trees provide crucial habitats that are essential for the survival of many species, particularly in areas with high biodiversity or after disturbances like bushfires.
More about the symbolism of dead trees (or “Spooky trees”, oh, that name may stick now!) when I release the series to my art investors and art collectors.
“Patchwork Quilt” was exhibited alongside “The Look” mini measuring 8x10 inches and featuring a clear blue sky softening the sundrenched earth below. Both pull together bold colour blocks with a quilt‑like texture. As a psychologist‑artist, I’m fascinated by how fragmented squares can echo memory and healing, while the vivid hues invite viewers to linger and perhaps recognise a piece of their own story, sewn together, stitched with time.
Sharing the space with fellow creators is always a highlight. The opening night was very well attended (and catered), the committee as always, went above and beyond. It took me over an hour to even get in the main door of the Boorowa Courthouse gallery, there were so many art collectors and fellow artists snapping up local art. The sense of community was palpable – everyone was there to celebrate art, wool and the unique spirit of Boorowa.
My “Woo-Hoo” moment was seeing my Son Austin’s work hanging alongside professional and highly skilled artists from the region and beyond. I can’t explain in words how proud of him I am. His enthusiasm for art, his passion to get his work into the exhibition (alongside adults), and his determination to have the piece “just right” made my heart melt. Austin was 7 years old at the time of the 2025 Boorowa Art Show, and one of Woolfest’s organisers mistook his work for that of a local artist that has been practicing professionally for over 20 years. Well that definitely blew my socks clean off!
The Boorowa Art Show Director Susan Corcoran recently sent an update stating:
A quick note to say thank you very much for your participation in the 2025 Boorowa Art Show. In 2025, we had over sixty artists and 150 artworks on display in our beautiful Old Courthouse Building in Boorowa. Thanks to your support, we also had 40 sales, which allowed us to donate $5000 to our local schools, Boorowa Central School and St Joseph's Primary School.
Now that’s a good news story!
Austin is already planning for his 2026 entry, he wants to make “a big one”. For me, I’ll let you know when I release the series to my art investors and art collectors.
Patchwork Quilt, one of the “spooky trees” that was entered into the 2025 Boorowa Art Show. (20×16in Synthetic polymer on canvas in pinewood frame).
Austin with his 16×20 in work titled “The View” Acrylic on canvas in pine wood frame. He was chuffed!
