In early May 2024, a group of prominent Australian artists including Renata Pari-Lewis, journeyed to Broken Hill for an intensive two-week residency. Immersing themselves in the township and its vast surrounding landscape, they followed in the footsteps of the original “Blow-In Art Collective,” which first arrived in Broken Hill in 2014. Several members of that original group are among this returning cohort, now aptly named the ‘Blow Back-Ins.’
Operating out of the iconic Palace Hotel, the artists worked across various local sites, including the historic Junction Mine and the dramatic Line of Lode.
Much like their predecessors, the Blow Back-Ins produced a substantial body of work inspired by Broken Hill’s unique character and its position at the edge of the desert. The resulting collection—featuring media from salvaged steel to watercolour—is showcased in a striking exhibition at the Broken Hill City Art Gallery until 27 April.
The Blow Back-Ins include:
Ann Thomson
Ann Cape
Chris Gentle
Daniel Pata
Gina Bruce
Kerry McInnis
Paul Connor
Renata Pari-Lewis
Sophie Cape
Mike MacGregor
Willemina Villari
Image: Renata Pari-Lewis, Before the Beginning and After the End, 2024, Acrylic on canvas, 180 x 480cm
