Story Behind the Piece:
Rabbit Proof Fence (494 Mile Peg) captures a deeply personal connection to the land, history, and family. The rabbit-proof fence, once a vital structure dividing the desert landscape, ran close to the artist’s childhood home on Beyondie Cattle Station. Its 494-mile peg marks more than a point on a map—it symbolizes the convergence of lives and stories shaped by resilience, love, and survival.
This artwork celebrates the artist’s grandfather, Bob George, a boundary rider tasked with maintaining the fence. His daily journeys along its length led him to meet the artist’s grandmother—a moment that defied convention. Bob was the first white man to marry an Aboriginal woman in Western Australia, forging a union that bridged two worlds. The fence, intended to divide, ironically became the backdrop for unity.
The whimsical rabbits in the painting, dressed in bold colors and sunglasses, seem to defy the solemnity of history with their playful stance. They symbolize the persistence of life and humor in a harsh and complicated environment. The vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges evoke the heat of the desert sun and the fire of stories that have shaped generations.
This piece pays homage to a unique cultural and personal legacy while inviting viewers to reflect on the boundaries—physical and societal—that have been crossed to bring people together.
Availability:
Rabbit Proof Fence (494 Mile Peg) will be showcased at the Wentworth Gallery in Brisbane during my solo exhibition on April 19, 2025.
