cultural treasurescultural treasuresThe <strong>Shoalhaven</strong> River winds its way through ruggedsandstone gorges, rolling pastures and nativeforests. A diverse community of artists respondto this unique environment, creating traditional andcontemporary works that reflect the spirit of the city.Arthur Boyd is known for his many works that featuredthe beauty of the <strong>Shoalhaven</strong> River and, today, itcontinues to inspire artists, craftspeople and writers.Together with the spectacular landscapes, thecity is blessed with art galleries, museums andorganisations dedicated to showcasing visual arts andenriching the sense of community. The Bundanonand Riversdale properties, Arthur and Yvonne Boyd’sgift to the Australian people, offer educational andentertainment events combined with a strong artist-inresidenceprogram to foster creativity both in the localcommunity as well as nationally and internationally.For almost a decade now, the <strong>Shoalhaven</strong> City ArtsCentre, a Regional Gallery, has attracted exhibitionsfrom renowned Australian and international artistswhile showcasing works from the best of the region’sartists. The Centre has hosted poetry and musicperformances and continues to develop strong bondswith the community.Other significant museums are the Lady DenmanHeritage Complex, featuring the Jervis Bay Gallery ofScience and the Sea at Huskisson, Meroogal in Nowraand the Fleet Air Arm at HMAS Albatross. These majorgalleries and museums, combined with a host of privateand commercial galleries showing contemporary arts,ceramics, timber and other crafts, ensure the City of<strong>Shoalhaven</strong> is more than an idyllic natural environment,but also an important and vibrant cultural destination.24shoalhavenholidays.com.au
cultural treasuresWhen iconic Australian artist ArthurBoyd first visited Bundanon in 1971,he painted a small oil study of theriver. He recalled that first intenseexperience, “I can remember the dayvividly. It was so hot and searing the oilran from the palette onto the sand …I remember the heat was terrifying.”BundanonWhen they returned to England, the Boyds asked oneof Bundanon’s then owners to look out for a similarproperty on the river. It wasn’t long before they werethe owners of Riversdale, described by Yvonne as “thisglorious hillside with its deserted cottage”. In 1975, theywere living in the restored Riversdale cottage surrounded byantique furniture brought back from England.The couple then acquired and made their Australian homeat Bundanon when the property became available in 1979.Arthur recognised it as a place where his family collectioncould be preserved.While in Australia, Arthur and Yvonne lived in the sandstoneand cedar two-storey homestead built in 1866 with itscottage garden, tall pines and romantic lake. In 1981, Arthurhad his studio built at the end of the garden overlookingpaddocks towards the bush and river.Many other artists visited and worked at Bundanon,including Sir Sidney Nolan, Brett Whiteley, Robert Dickersonand poet Peter Porter.When Arthur and Yvonne offered Bundanon and Riversdale tothe people of Australia, they envisaged a haven of creativityfor diverse groups including Aboriginal people, schoolgroups, Australian and overseas artists and the general publicon open days. They wanted all the arts to prosper, includingdrama, dance, sculpture, jazz and classical music.Along with the gift of the Bundanon and Riversdaleproperties was a collection of thousands of artworks,photographs, furnishings and documents. Included inthe collection are works by several members of the Boydfamily, Sir Sidney Nolan, Joy Hester, John Perceval, CharlesBlackman, Leonard French, Brett Whiteley and others.Visitors to the properties can see the art at the homesteadand Education Centre. From time to time, the Trust holdsexhibitions and loans works to other organisations.Each year, the artist-in-residence program hosts individualartists or small groups in a variety of art forms to live andwork in the artists’ centre.Glenn Murcutt, Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate in 2002,designed the Riversdale Education Centre with Wendy Lewinand Reg Lark. In 1999, the design won the Sulman Award forpublic architecture.With a deep sensitivity for the landscape and climate,Murcutt achieves a structure that complements thesurrounding environment. East-facing windows givesweeping views of the river and students awake to theraucous sounds of the dawn chorus.Students live the artist’s life during their visits to both atBundanon and Riversdale.Bundanon is open to the public every Sunday 10.30am –4pm. Visits include tours of the Bundanon Homestead andArthur Boyd’s studio.Please check website for closure due to weather conditions.It is suggested that you enter the property between 10.30amto 1pm and depart between 1.30pm–4pm due to a singlelane access road.West Cambewarra(02) 4422 2100; Sundays (02) 4422 2900www.bundanon.com.aushoalhavenholidays.com.au 25
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