An animated installation by Wiradjuri artist Josh Yasserie opened at the Mudgee Museum on Saturday 26 November. Titled Mudgee, the work resulted from a residency undertaken by Josh at the Mudgee Museum where he met and spoke with community members, volunteers and explored the voluminous (nearly 18,000 objects) collections and archives of the Museum.
Mudgee is a gentle but persistent animation of the deep roots of the land that Mudgee sits on, and the ongoing conversation residents and visitors continue to have about the history of the town.
Guest curator for the project, Nathan Sentence joined Josh at the opening and the pair discussed the way museums tell stories and how it must change. Citing museums as places of ‘stories not storage’, Nathan shared some of his experiences across a range of museums and how to introduce new voices and perspectives.
Josh explained his process in developing the work and how speaking with community fundamentally changed his ideas on what his work might look like and seek to do. The Mudgee Historical Society President, Barry Wells joined the conversation, giving insights into how the museum took on the challenge of working with Josh and what the next steps might be.
Mudgee was funded by the NSW government through Create NSW. It is an initiative of Orana Arts under its VAMP strategy for regional museums.
Exhibition open until 26 January 2023
Mudgee Museum open hours
10am – 2pm daily
Entrance fee to museum applies
Left to right: Andrew Glassop from Orana Arts, curator Nathan Sentance, artist Josh Yasserie, and Barry Wells form the Mudgee Historical Society