A New Exhibition by Leeton-born artist Jaelene Durrand
Leeton Museum and Art Gallery is delighted to present What Iris Taught Me to See, a new exhibition by Leeton-born artist Jaelene Durrand.
Working across a diverse range of media, Durrand draws on gardens, insects, interiors, landscapes and remembered people and places to create works that move between the familiar and the imagined. Her practice is shaped by close observation, but also by the stories and associations that gather around everyday things.
"Dedicated to my Nana, Iris Roese, the exhibition traces its beginnings to her garden, a place where flowers, insects and small, half-hidden things became invitations to look more closely and imagine beyond what could be seen," said Durrand.
Bringing the exhibition back to her hometown adds another layer of meaning, reconnecting the work with the places, people and experiences that first shaped Durrand's way of seeing.
Now based in Queensland, Durrand continues to build strong connections through her creative practice, arts leadership, education and mentoring. In 2026, she was recognised with an Australia Day Cultural Award for her significant contribution to community cultural life.
Museum, Gallery and Heritage Coordinator Karen Barrett said: "Jaelene has a wonderful ability to find the extraordinary in the everyday. Her work sits beautifully between observation and imagination, revealing the magic in the world around us."
Works in the exhibition will be available for purchase.
What Iris Taught Me to See is supported through the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the Queensland Government and Tablelands Regional Council.
