One of the artworks from the Burning Generation exhibition. Photo: Charles Sturt University.
A collection of young artists’ work representing the profound impact of the Black Summer bushfires is set to go on display.
The Burning Generation exhibition, consisting of artworks by youths aged 12 to 24 about their reactions to the fires, will be held in Wagga from this Saturday, 20 July, to Thursday, 15 August.
The themes in the artworks include community resilience and experiences of considerable difficulty during the bushfires. These include being close to the fire; expected loss of possessions, home and loved ones; displacement after the disaster; destruction of Country; and health and mental health consequences.
Charles Sturt University (CSU) academics led a research project that culminated in a visual representation of how the Black Summer bushfires affected Australia’s regional youth.
Senior lecturer Dr Rachael Fox in Wagga Wagga and Associate Professor Andrew McGrath in Bathurst, both with the Charles Sturt School of Psychology, conducted research with young people who were affected by the bushfires in 2019-2020.
The research, funded by the NSW Government and CSU, was conducted with local artists and researchers in 2022 and 2023 in the Snowy Valleys and the Bega Valley.
The research resulted in the exhibition, which is part of a broader project, Rural Australian Young People’s Experiences of Climate Disasters: Collaborating on Creative Action.
The exhibition has already been to Tumut and Bega and is creating conversations about the needs and experiences of young rural Australians during climate disasters.
Defendable, by Batlow’s Cat Jackson. Photo: CSU.
“The exhibition includes high-quality art and thought-provoking messages and helps all of us to learn about the resilience and importance of young people in rural communities,” Dr Fox said.
Professor McGrath said working with young people had been a rewarding experience.
“It was very exciting to see their skills progress under the guidance of the artists we worked with,” he said.
“They are the generation who will have to grow up with the impacts of climate change, and the main aim of this project was to help give them a voice and a way of addressing and thinking about this through creative action.”
The young artists have also communicated their feelings on climate change through their artworks.
Ceramic Lincoln House on the Hill. Photo: CSU.
”This exhibition creatively explores meanings made by such [rural] young people,” Dr Fox said.
“The curation has involved the qualitative analysis of the art and words by the young people and reflections on original methods of engaging young rural Australians, which is relevant to an audience across Australia.”
Dr Fox and Professor McGrath have backgrounds in working with young people on difficult experiences and said the exhibition dealt with serious themes but also had messages of hope and positive ideas of resilience.
Burning Generation officially opens at 10 am this Saturday, followed by a public lecture at 11 am by Dr Fox and Professor McGrath.
The exhibition will be at the H R Gallop Gallery, Building 21, Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, until 15 August.
School groups are encouraged to visit and meet a research team member, with whom they can discuss the artwork and related projects. Learning outcomes involve areas related to art, youth citizenship, climate change and other environmental issues.
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