The fight to save Sutton Forest and the Goulburn Region from Coal Seam Gas Exploitation.
“Golden Vale Panorama”, acrylic on canvas, 91 x 120.5 cm, by Pamela Griffith.
The Southern Highlands have been an inspiration for a number of my paintings and prints over many years. In particular I have been a frequent visitor to the National Trust property “Golden Vale” at Sutton Forest.
Beauty is vitally important to the human condition and it troubles me that this agricultural area is subject to coal and coal seam gas exploration leases which would see test wells pepper the magnificent landscape. Almost two hundred years of human aspiration and toil could be undone in one generation.
In December 2012 ABC Arts presenter Anne Maria Nicholson covered a story for prime-time news, interviewing three artists who regularly paint Australian landscapes. Greg Hansell, Lyn Burns and I went to Gingenbullen Mountain where we had panoramic views of threatened land as far as the eye can see. The painting outcome was that our three works were sold to raise funds for the defence of the valley. “Golden Vale Panorama” and the art work of others were exhibited at Goulburn Regional Gallery.
The gallery’s involvement came via the work that was donated by Pamela. Mrs Karin Keighley was inspired by the generosity of the artist and purchased the work by Pamela Griffith for $12,000 and donated it to GRAG. Her efforts gave the gallery the impetus to act and to put on the exhibition at Goulburn Regional Gallery in November/ December 2013.
Jane Cush, director of the gallery said “It is artists who interpret , articulate and often define our immediate landscape. A select group of artists will respond to the possibility of CSG mining in our region”.
Guest Speaker, Kirsty Ruddock opened the Symposium at Goulburn Regional Gallery.
An update of this event is that the painting now resides in the beautiful Golden Vale Homestead, the property now having been gifted to the National Trust by Mr and Mrs Geoffrey Keighley.
