Art Can Save The World
Did you see Rachel Griffith’s series on ABC ‘Great Southern Landscapes’?
Episode four featured a painting and part of the world very close to my heart. In fact, my last academic study focused on the artist Eugene Von Gerard and his work at the epicentre of an argument in response to a writer’s criticism. The writer had claimed that Eugene von Guerard has been part of Australia’s colonial art history and movement to ‘visually obliterate’ first nations people out of history. My research was able to find many art works by von Guerard which refuted this claim.
Great Southern Landscapes features the painting ‘Tower Hill,’ which was commissioned by James Dawson in 1855. James was the owner of a large property, Kangatong in the southwestern district of Victoria. Unlike other colonial squatters who commissioned von Guerard to paint their ‘house portraits’ James Dawson chose the unique geological extinct volcano crater, nearby ‘Tower Hill.’ This suited the artist, who had trained in Europe and was fascinated by the unique geology of his newly adopted country.
Neither artist nor landowner could have predicted the power of that choice. The painting is a jewel amongst von Gerard’s fine body of work, revealing his understanding of nature, plant species, growth patterns and the geological land formation. With all this beauty encapsulated in one work it has stood the test of time. But it’s true strength lies in the role it played in environmental rehabilitation.
Soon after the commissioned work was complete, Tower Hill began to change. Like most of the country at the time, settlements and townships were springing up everywhere. The trees were chopped down and the crater was mined of its rich natural resources. What von Guerard had painted here, was no longer visible in the physical world. As Rachel Griffith reveals in the program, it was a family argument (about what to do with the painting) that led to the work being donated to the conservation commission of Victoria in 1966.
The painting was subsequently used as a ‘blueprint’ for the environmental restoration. It was lovely to see on Rachel’s program, her interviews with the locals who remembered being part of the replanting program during the 1970’s, of this unique landscape.
So next time you are in Victoria, head southwest to Warrnambool. Step into the Regional Art Gallery there and view this beautiful painting. Soak up all those details before you get in the car and travel a few kilometres to Tower Hill. There is a fabulous spot that you can stop at called Von Gerard’s lookout. There you can see a reproduction of the painting and the view in front of you. If the sky is clear, you may even catch a glimpse of Killarney beach in the distance. While you are standing here, know that art can truly change the world.
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