The relationship of the famous Boyd family dynasty with the Harkaway and Narre Warren region is explored in ‘Home of the Boyds: Harkaway and The Grange’, a defining new exhibition – the first-of-its-kind – to focus exclusively on a little known but nationally significant Australian story. It is a story that spans a century, centred around three generations of Australia’s best-known artists and their family property, a place of creative vitality.
Arthur Boyd, The wheatfield, 1948, oil on composition board, 70.4 x 70.5cm. Courtesy the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne and the Bundanon Trust
Curated by independent curator Rodney James, ‘Home of the Boyds: Harkaway and The Grange’ includes a comprehensive group of Arthur Boyd’s ‘Berwick’ landscape series as well as murals, paintings, drawings, ceramics and prints produced by Boyd and other family members, friends and visitors to the house. James has travelled the country talking to experts and scholars as well as many of the descendants of the families and has tracked down some of the most iconic Australian works held in major collections, and many treasures that have not been seen publicly in up to 40 years.
‘The Grange at Harkaway was one of the most significant of The Boyd family havens. It was where the artistic union between the à Beckett and Boyd clans began and it was pivotal to their attachment to nature and the development of their attitudes to Australia,’ explains James.
A number of activities are also set to take place alongside the exhibition. Highlights include: a Mother’s Day Art Talk and Tea event, ‘Arthur Boyd and The Boyd Family’ – an in-conversation event hosted by Bundanon Trust; and Music and Boyd – an afternoon performance by celebrated concert pianist Alexander Boyd on Bunjil Place’s very own Steinway grand piano. Another highlight is Building Our Backyard – a cubby village which gives children a chance to get creative at the homestead, much like the Boyds.
Bunjil Place Gallery
Until 29 July, 2018
Melbourne
