MRAG Maitland Regional Art Gallery

Four Generations Captured

written by Lauren van Katwyk, March 2009

An art installation entitled Time Capture, created to capture the experiences and images of women across Maitland, will have a special personal significance for one MCC staff member as it will showcase four generations of her family for the next quarter of a century.

When Joe Eisenberg, Cultural Director of MRAG, asked Judy Henry early last year to represent the MRAG Members and gallery volunteers in an art installation that would feature in the art gallery until 2034, she happily agreed.

Today, months away from the artworks unveiling, Judy, 56, and her daughter Kimberley, 37, grand-daughter Lily, 8, and mother, Margaret, 79, are keen to see their efforts for the project on display.

Time Capture will be installed into the staircase of the new wing of the gallery building. Involving film, images and light and made up of several hours of footage, the art project has been designed by artist Lara O’Reilly.

The project is about strengthening and celebrating the diversity in our community, as well as what women feel about their community. The dozens of women involved in the project are all from a broad range of backgrounds, highlighting the social and cultural diversity of the area. MCC’s Community Services department secured funding of over $200,000 from Coal and Allied Community Trust for the project.

I feel it’s a real honour to be part of this project and to have 4 generations involved said Judy. In 25 years time, more generations will be able to visit the gallery. It will be for everybody, everyone who has been involved.

Judy’s grand-daughter Lily will be 33 before the installation closes. I’m looking into the future, when Lily grows older. She’ll have a daughter and she’ll be able to bring her to the gallery and say, ‘this is your family’, Judy says.

Judy’s own life history has never strayed far from Maitland. Her mother and father emigrated from Scotland to Australia, and lived for a short time in Sydney before settling in Tea Gardens shortly before Judy was born. For a while her family lived in Charlestown, moving to Maitland when Judy was in her early teens. When she was 16, she met Mal Henry. Today Mal and Judy live in a gorgeous homestead in Paterson. They will celebrate their 38^th wedding anniversary this year. Judy has worked professionally in the art industry all her life, first as a photographic colourist (at the Model Studio from 66-71) and now as an exhibiting artist and member of gallery staff. She and her husband Mal also run their own business.

Time Capture participants were guided by a series of questions, asking them to choose favourite or significant items. Among other things Judy chose a painting and bronze sculpture of her own making. The painting is called Where Do You Belong and was a painting she began after visiting Scotland in 1997, meeting many of her extended relatives for the first time.

To Judy, each item’s significance not only meant something to her own life, but helped contextualise and give meaning to her daughters; mothers; and granddaughters. Family photos, the NSW Flag, a Scottish kilt and Judy’s African Djemba Drum (that Judy has played for 5 years) also featured in her significant items.

As Merchandise Coordinator at MRAG, Judy has worked part time during the closure of the building, extending the number of artists and designers that will sell their unique and beautiful items such as jewellery, gifts, books and cards in the gallery’s gift shop. Since 2004, Judy has played her part in all aspects of the gallery, exhibiting her works in shows, volunteering at all manner of MRAG events, and representing the MRAG members in the MRAGM committee. Anything that was going on, I’d be involved in Judy laughs. Her efforts for the gallery members in organising coach trips to popular art events like the Archibald Prize exhibition in Sydney, has raised thousands of dollars over the years.

Time Capture will be launched in late 2009 after the art gallery reopens.