'Story Country: Uncle Jim Ridgeway' and 'Like New' exhibition opening

We warmly invite you to celebrate the opening of Story Country: Uncle Jim Ridgeway and Like New - Recent Acquisitions MAC yapang. Enjoy an exhibition preview with an introduction from special guest speakers, wine by Ernest Hill Wines and light refreshments by Three Bears Cafe.

Story Country: Uncle Jim Ridgeway

The paintings and ceramics of Uncle Jim Ridgeway echo petroglyphs and entrusted stories. These artworks trace stories of the artist’s connection to Birpui and Awabakal Country

Respected Aboriginal Elder, the late Clifford James ‘Jim’ Ridgeway grew up on a mission with the Biripi language group. From the age of 15 he was an amateur boxer with Les McNabb’s troupe until deciding to pursue his talent as a country and western singer. He became a celebrity in country music circles, scoring an award from Nashville, USA, and being named top Aboriginal country and western male vocalist in Australia in the late 1970s.

Image at top: Jim Ridegway Kangaroo 2002. hand coiled pottery, 280mm diameter

Image below: Jim Ridgeway's hand coiled pottery. Clockwise from left - My Country 2004, Mukkun (Muk-kun) Lizard 2004, Toomulla (A Creek) 2003, Kangaroo 2002.

Like New - Recent Acquisitions MAC yapang

Including works from our collection by Andrew Rogers, Bridget Hillebrand, Ian Strange, Jill Crossley, Jodie Reynolds, Ken Unsworth, Lottie Consalvo, Maddison Gibbs, Maria Fernanda Cardoso, Marlene Houston, Peter Gardiner, Shaun Allen (Shal), Thomas Gleghorn, Tim Georgeson, Tim Storrier, Vipoo Srivilasa and Wendy Sharpe.

Image below: Shaun Allen C.F.C 2022. synthetic polymer on canvas. 189 x 115 cm

Highly Commended, yapang Emerging Art Prize 2023. Museum of Art and Culture Collection, Lake Macquarie Cultural Collections.