Remembering the Flood One Year On

14 February 2018

Rob Olver ‘Of Rivers and Floods’ exhibition opens at Tweed Regional Gallery one year on from the floods.

Almost twelve months on from the largest flood to hit the Tweed Valley region in recorded history, Murwillumbah artist Rob Olver will exhibit his photographs documenting the flood and its aftermath at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Centre from 2 March to 20 May 2018.

Tweed Regional Gallery Director Susi Muddiman OAM said Mr Olver has captured the destruction of the natural and built environment, and also the strength and resilience of the local community using black and white medium format film.

“The March 2017 flood is still such a raw subject for so many people in the community, Rob has skillfully approached this tragic event with sensitivity and beauty,” Ms Muddiman said.

Mr Olver, who spent time shovelling mud in South Murwillumbah, said he was deeply affected by the scale of this natural disaster.

“Mixed with this were wonderful stories of humanity, community and caring” Mr Olver said.

“Strangers turned up and asked if they could help and brought Anzac biscuits or offered laundry services to affected families.

“About five days after the flood I began taking photographs, partly as a way of understanding my own traumatic response to the event.”

Mr Olver’s photographs depict the remnants of the flood; the subtle marks left on the land, such as debris washed up against fencing, and humorous words of encouragement to ‘just keep swimming’.

Of Rivers and Floods is both a commemoration of the flood and celebration of the community that came together in its aftermath.

All are welcome to attend the official opening on Friday 2 March 2018 at 6.00pm with guest speaker artist Heather Matthew. The exhibition will be opened alongside Abstraction: celebrating Australian women abstract artists and Nicola Hooper: ZOONOSES.

Downloads

Photo 1(JPG, 132KB)

Caption: Rob Olver, Flood debris I, 2017, digital print on cotton rag