Lasting legacy: Carol and Peter Taylor Collection illuminates Narrogin Exhibition Space

An exhibition of works from the Carol and Peter Taylor Collection, which includes paintings by renowned Australian artists such as Hans Heysen and Harald Vike has come to Narrogin.

The art show, titled Living and Working on the Land: a Countrywoman’s Passion Revealed, opened to the public in Narrogin on September 6.

The exhibition features a range of paintings, drawings and etchings from the significant collection amassed by Carol Taylor which was donated to the Shire of Narrogin in 2015.

“Dr Diana McGirr was the curator and I was her apprentice,” co-curator Ned Crossley said.

“In preparation for the exhibition, we did a bit of research on Carol because we wanted to feature her and her interests.”

Along with being a collector of art, Ms Taylor was also an active member of the Central South Naturalist Club where she served as secretary for a number of years.

On display at the exhibition are some of Ms Taylor’s botanic specimens and photographs she took in the bush and of historic regional buildings.

“She liked collecting things,” Mr Crossley said.

“She and Peter also went around documenting small school sites but as far as we know she never catalogued the paintings.”

While some of the paintings are confirmed works by renowned Australian artists such as Hans Heysen and Harald Vike, several of the pieces selected are by unknown artists.

One of the paintings, a vibrant bush landscape rendered in acrylics on canvas board, is believed to have been painted by celebrated Noongar artist Shane Pickett.

“It’s been done by someone that knows their stuff,” Mr Crossley said.

“It’s really complex, it’s not flat, the way the trees are mapped out by the shadows and the higher tones sit on the top.”

Work by local artists including Cuballing’s Peter Denton also feature in the display.

The exhibition on display at the Narrogin Exhibition Space from Wednesday-Saturday from 10am to 4pm will close on October 14.