Situated outside Griffith Regional Theatre is an incredible piece of art, a mural, known as Charcoal Reign, painted by the late Wiradjuri artist, Veronica Collins.
On Monday 15 September, a plaque commemorating the life and work of Ms Collins will be unveiled by her family and Griffith City Council Mayor, Doug Curran.
This event coincides with a retrospective exhibition of artworks created by Ms Collins that are currently on display inside the Theatre foyer, in the Artspace Gallery area.
This collection, curated by Griffith Regional Art Gallery Coordinator, Melanie Toscan, along with members of Veronica Collins' family, ranges from her earlier works where she was working predominantly with acrylic on canvas, to her later works where she practiced mediums such as painting, print-making, textiles and mixed media, sometimes incorporating natural elements such as sand alongside fabric and applied with paint.
Western Riverina Arts (WRA) supported Ms Collins through the later part of her career, and Aanya Whitehead, from WRA said, "It is exciting to again be able to see some of Veronica's work on exhibit since her passing in 2022. We thank her family for allowing the public to view these beautiful artworks."
Ms Collins' artistic career began in the early 1990's and she held exhibitions in both metropolitan and regional galleries. Her work is held in several collections both overseas and in Australia. Her work explores cultural, historic and socio-political themes, speaking truth to power and asserting and celebrating the unceded sovereignty of First Nations People.
One of her most public works is the mural adorning the Eastern wall of the amphitheatre outside Griffith Regional Theatre. It is based on the Waterholes design, which is one of the five designs that Ms Collins was culturally authorised to paint. Each design was passed down by her mother, representing a different story in her family's cultural history.
All are invited to attend the unveiling of the plaque on Monday 15 September 2025 at 5pm, and to view the exhibition. The exhibition will remain on display in the Theatre foyer until Friday 3 October 2025.
