Dubbo-based artist Ruby Davies will showcase her new exhibition Rivers Flow to the Sea, to the Sea at the Western Plains Culture Centre from 7 February to 26 April 2026.
Dubbo Regional Council Curator Natasha Lunniss said the exhibition focuses on Ruby Davies' artistic career and practice through the subject of the Darling Baaka River.
"Her work explores the beauty of the local environment, the issues, both environmental and man-made, that plague the Darling Baaka River alongside the profound importance of the river to first nations communities," Ms Lunniss said.
"This exhibition features a collection of paintings, photographs and mixed-media material, exploring her lifelong interaction with the river and asks the audience to really consider the impact if we lost such an essential resource.
Ruby Davies grew up regionally and has been creating art since she was a young child and went on to study at the Sydney College of Arts in Balmain.
"My interest in the river began gradually; there were unanswered questions after seeing the river in 1994 so devastatingly low on water," Ms Davies said.
"Such a large and important river without water is a truly disturbing vision."
"The work at its core, is a love song to the ongoing future of a health Darling Baaka. It is mixed with the fear that what we had may no longer endure into the future of our lives," Ms Davies said.
The exhibition is a timely investigation into our vital river systems and the cultural and environmental impact of the Darling Baaka – challenging us in regional communities to become participants in their recovery.
The official opening for Rivers Flow to the Sea, to the Sea by Ruby Davies will be held on Friday 13 February at 6pm. This is a free event with light refreshments provided. Bookings are essential.
This exhibition is supported by funding from Create NSW. For more information visit www.westernplainsculturalcentre.org.
