An art exhibition dedicated to the 1874 Windsor Bridge is displayed at the Hawkesbury Central Library until 31 December. The exhibition has been curated by celebrated Hawkesbury artist Greg Hansell who lives close to the bridge.
The exhibition has taken six months to curate but Hansell, a Windsor local for 40 years, is thrilled with the result. “It’s been a wonderful project,” Hansell said. There will be about 50 works in the exhibition which includes paintings and sketches by Hansell of the new Windsor Bridge with the old bridge in the background. Another artwork depicts the last day of traffic on the old Windsor Bridge.
“I record history in my work… how things are now”.
“When all the mess is cleaned up most people will forget all that has gone on in the past up to now, this is a close focus look at the changes. The exhibition was my idea, the library expanded the brief to include the changes to the area since settlement “
While about ten of Hansell’s works will be part of the exhibition other items include an original 1820s engraving by Captain James Wallis and an 1853 work by FC Terry of the doctor’s house without the bridge. There are also photographs of the old Windsor Bridge at all the stages.
There are descriptions and words from a speech made by William Walker MLC in 1890 as well as historians who wrote about Windsor during the same period.
Hansell is a fellow of the Royal Art Society of New South Wales and his paintings are represented in corporate and academic collections. He has been a finalist over 20 times in the Archibald and Wynne prizes and Salon de Refuse and was awarded a Centenary of Federation medal in 2001 for services to community arts and Windsor Library.
Free tours of ‘The Crossing’ exhibition with Hansell are taking place Friday 16 October with two sessions 2pm and 3pm. Numbers are limited for each session; bookings are essential through www.hawkesburylibrary.eventbrite.com
Hawkesbury Library Service has a COVID plan in place and there will be restrictions on the number of people allowed to attend.
The display can be viewed at the Hawkesbury Central Library, 300 George Street, Windsor until 31 December during opening hours. The Central Library opening hours are currently Monday to Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-1pm and Sunday 2-5pm.
