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Artist, Joy George, bought to life “the harshness, beauty and colour of our landscape” as it would have been experienced by those on the search for gold and other precious metals.
Finding Inspiration
Inspired by the story of our 1923 Rugby 4 Roadster Utility, the goldrush exhibit lends itself to a beautiful background to help tell the story of those people who converted from pushing a wheelbarrow across unknown lands to living out the back of their vehicle, just like gold prospector Joseph Johnston who owned this vehicle.
It was his home, his workshop and a place to keep his worldly possessions. This ute featured in our goldrush display was a Goldfields regular during the 1920s and 30s and an inspiration for the mural.
Mural Features
Featured in the mural is a bleak, harsh, and yet beautiful landscape. A prospector is seen panning for gold in the foreground, while a mine, or building structure can be seen to the left of the 20m long mural.
Iconic scenes that you would expect to see include windmills, a lean-to, rolling hills, red dirt contrasting against patches of green, wagons, wild camels, emus, a wedge tail eagle, towering eucalyptus tree and even a billabong.
Joy volunteered her time to create this masterpiece and for that we are extremely grateful!
