20 CENTRAL WEST ARTISTS RESPOND TO A CENTRAL WEST SONIC JOURNEY.
The last two years have been tough in the arts. Lockdowns and loss of work ran right across all artforms. Live shows took a hammering! We wanted to help by creating opportunities for those most affected.
In 2021, Arts OutWest commissioned 15 central west songwriters across 11 local government areas in the region to each write a song reflecting their experiences of 2020. Working closely with our Music Industry Support Officer, Patrick Coomey, we created a compilation album of original music. It was titled While the World Waits.
We heard what it felt like. Now show me what it feels like…
In 2022, artists from across the Central West have been asked to use the CD as a jumping off point and inspiration for new work. This unique opportunity for regional visual artists to create artworks in response to regional music has been a labour of love for Arts OutWest. While the World Waits Exhibition is a curated exhibition in which selected artists each respond to one or more tracks, title or words on the album.
The exhibition will showcase work from across all mediums. You will see painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramics, moving image, animation, photography, glass and textiles.
Bathurst artist Heather Dunn has been weaving a large wall work. “This is a weaving where the cloth of our dreams are shredded and re-woven, as we struggle to adapt and stay resilient… The messages on the silk strips, typed on an antique Corona typewriter, are knotted in along the way. They rise like a cresting wave, as we are bombarded with rules, changes to the rules and a constant barrage of all things covid.” says Heather.
“It has been a privilege and joy to work with so many artists right across our region to deliver an amazing exhibition. The work is full of heart and optimism. These 20 artists show us that the level of work being produced in regional NSW is just so exciting to experience.” says Arts OutWest artist and curator Steven Cavanagh.
While the World Waits Exhibition will travel for 12 months to galleries and venues across Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid-Western Regional, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin.
| VENUE | OPENING EVENT | EXHIBITION DATES |
| Tremains Mill BATHURST | Saturday 19 March, 2pm | 19 March – 3 April, 2022 |
| Grenfell Art Gallery GRENFELL | Thursday 28 April, 6pm | 29 April – 2 June, 2022 |
| Gang Gang Gallery LITHGOW | Saturday 11 June, 2pm | 9 – 26 June, 2022 |
| Mudgee Arts Precinct MUDGEE | Friday 1 July, 6pm | 1 – 31 July, 2022 |
| Canowindra Arts Gallery CANOWINDRA | Saturday 6 August, 2pm | 6 – 27 August, 2022 |
| Cowra Civic Centre COWRA | Saturday 10 September, 11am | 11 – 18 September, 2022 |
| The Foundations PORTLAND | Saturday 1 October, 2pm | 1 – 23 October, 2022 |
| Platform Arts Hub BLAYNEY | Saturday 5 November, 2pm | 4 – 25 November, 2022 |
| Malachi Gilmour Hall OBERON | Saturday 3 December, 2pm | 3 – 11 December, 2022 |
| Forbes Cultural Centre FORBES | Saturday 14 January, 2pm | 14 – 22 January, 2023 |
| The Corner Store Gallery ORANGE | Saturday 28 January, 2pm | 28 Jan – 2 Feb, 2023 |
| Coventry Room PARKES | Saturday 25 February, 2pm | 25 Feb – 12 March, 2023 |
Download the While the World Waits Exhibition Catalogue
Image featured above: Storm Approaching (detail) by Gemma Clipsham
Meanwhile, the album that inspired it all is still available to purchase:
Continues to 25 July. Thank you to the lovely crowd of people who joined us for both the ‘While the World Waits’ exhibition opening on Friday night and panel chat on Saturday afternoon at Mudgee Arts Precinct .
Opening event Friday 1 July at 6pm. In Conversation Saturday 2 July at 2pm. Join us in Mudgee for the While the World Waits opening, an afternoon in conversation and bookable meetings with our executive director.
Unfortunately we’ve had to cancel this While the World Waits In Conversation event at Gang Gang Gallery in Lithgow on Thursday 23 June.
Opening Saturday 11 June 2-4pm, Gang Gang Gallery. The third leg of the While the World Waits exhibition of contemporary art by Central West NSW artists opens in Lithgow.
Opens Thursday 28 April, 6-8pm. Runs to June 2. While the World Waits touring exhibition is packed up and heading to Grenfell for the second leg of a 12 month tour.
‘While the World Waits’ CD albums NOW FOR SALE. Scroll down this page to purchase.
Location: Regional
When: 2022 – 2023
Funded by: Arts OutWest
Curated by: Steven Cavanagh, Arts OutWest
| ARTISTS |
| Cate McCarthy |
| Jane Tonks |
| Shani Nottingham |
| Helen Carpenter |
| Bridget Thomas |
| Heather Vallance |
| Lise Edwards |
| Henry Simmons & River Yarners |
| Laura Baker |
| Heather Dunn |
| Stephan de Wit |
| Timothy Seager |
| Gemma Clipsham |
| Hugh McKinnon |
| Gus Armstrong |
| Harrie Fasher |
| Robert Hirschmann |
| Steven Cavanagh |
| Christine McMillan |
Cover art: Steven Cavanagh