Penrith celebrates 40-year anniversary of regional gallery inception

To celebrate the 40-year anniversary of the inception of a regional gallery in Penrith following the acceptance of the Lewers Bequest and significant support from the NSW Government, Penrith Regional Gallery, presents a suite of exhibitions titled Dream Realised: our community victory from Saturday 4th April until Sunday 9th August 2020.

Neville Wran, while Premier of NSW (1976 – 1986) contributed $1million from the NSW Government to secure the establishment of the Gallery and noted at its official opening the following year “this is the first regional art gallery to be opened in the western region of Sydney, where arts and cultural services were long neglected…The house, as we know, was always a centre of vigorous intellectual discourse and creativity, and as a gallery will continue to be a hub of artistic life in this state and this region.”

The exhibition suite Dream Realised: our community victory is comprised of three exhibitions. One in the heritage modernist Ancher House, called Art Lives Here celebrating the creative partnership of Margo and Gerald Lewers; another in Lewers House called Circle of Friends, showcasing acquisitions funded and supported by the Friends of Penrith Regional Gallery, and a solo exhibition of the first president of the Friends (formed in 1979) Warwick Fuller, Warwick Fuller - Chasing the Light.

Gerald and Margo Lewers were leading artists in the development of modernism in Australian art, and pivotal figures in the Sydney creative scene. Both were keenly interested in the evolution of new and unique thought, artistic practice, debate and visual arts education.  It was Margo’s wish that upon her death (1978) her home at Emu Plains would become an art centre where travelling exhibitions could be held and artists could meet to exchange ideas.  

In 1980 the community’s dream was realised in the decision to establish a regional gallery at Emu Plains. The Lewers’ creative spirit lives on through the Gallery programs offering exhibitions, gardens, architectural heritage, education and an art collection within the unique property that was the Lewers’ home.

Penrith Performing and Visual Arts Chair Peter Anderson commented “It has been my absolute pleasure to have been involved with the Gallery since before its inception, during the ‘fight’ for a regional gallery for the people of Western Sydney. It was a victory for cultural access and equity, and we are delighted to be celebrating its 40-year milestone.

“The Gallery is a centre of vigorous intellectual discourse and creativity and provides cultural access for the people of Greater Western Sydney. We are proud to continue the legacy of the Lewers family, offering a unique and important centre for artistic activity for the region and for the wider community.”

Penrith Performing and Visual Arts Chief Executive, Hania Radvan added "It's hard to imagine a world without regional galleries, but at the time our community had no option but to travel to the city for any art or culture. Creating a regional Gallery in Emu Plains was a brave and bold move and it required an act of faith from Council and the critical partnership of state government - neither of these could have happened without a chorus of community voices pushing for the right to culture in their local area. It's a celebration of a pivotal victory and a turning point for creativity in Western Sydney."

Penrith Regional Gallery Director Sheona White enthused “It is so rewarding to see how the local community holds the Gallery in warm regard, and many have cherished childhood memories from early visits. Those journeying from further afield in Greater Western Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Sydney city and beyond, know to expect a rich cultural encounter and art experience. At this 40-year milestone, we’re excited to celebrate this marvellous local asset continuing as a hub of art and ideas, stories and community.”

Art Lives Here | Ancher House
Penrith Regional Gallery, Home of the Lewers Bequest was the private home of two artists – sculptor Gerald Lewers and his wife, painter Margo Lewers - and their daughters Darani Lewers and Tanya Crothers (nee Lewers). This property and a collection of artworks, furniture, and ephemera was gifted by the daughters to Penrith City Council in 1980 and has been operating as a public gallery since 1981. The exhibition Art Lives Here presented in Ancher House presents work from the Collection which speaks to the creative partnership that was developed between Margo and Gerald Lewers throughout their lives and by extension the influence they imparted on frequent artist visitors including Frank Hinder and Sonia Farley, Gerald’s niece.  

Circle of Friends | Lewers House
Celebrating the contribution of the Friends of Penrith Regional Gallery, Home of the Lewers Bequest the exhibition Circle of Friends showcases many of the works purchased with the assistance of The Friends. Artists presented in the exhibition are also among those who are known to have visited Margo and Gerald at the Lewers’ property including Lyndon Dadswell, Elwyn Lynn, Henry Salkauskas, Bim Hilder, Stanislaus Rapotec and Robert Klippel.

Warwick Fuller - Chasing the Light | Main Gallery
Kanimbla NSW artist Warwick Fuller was the founding president of the Friends of Penrith Regional Gallery, Home of the Lewers Bequest. Fuller’s highly successful career as an artist commenced in 1978 at the same time as he headed up the Friends group of community members campaigning for the Penrith City Council to accept the Lewers gift and establish a regional gallery in Western Sydney. Fuller has been Prince Charles’ official Australian tour artist three times and a number of his works are in the private collection of Their Royal Highnesses, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.  Chasing the Light is Fuller’s first solo exhibition in a public gallery though he does exhibit regularly with his gallerist Geoff White at Lost Bear, Katoomba. Fuller’s painting focuses on capturing the light in the Australian landscape, leading him to travel Australia extensively. Largescale works by Fuller can be seen in hotels around Australia including a vast panoramic landscape at the Emirates exclusive One&Only Wolgan Valley.    

Paul Worstead – Cooking fish and chips in Paradise, 1976 | Artist Boards
Neville Wran portraits by Paul Worstead, conceptual artist, poster maker, T-shirt and fabric designer.

A public and education program including a series of talks and events will accompany the 40-year anniversary suite of exhibitions.

Details available at penrithregionalgallery.com.au

Image of Neville Wran portrait by conceptual Paul Worstead