Past Exhibitions

Earth Matters Exhibition poster

Ash, Mud & Tears

In Ash, Mud & Tears, Michelle Walker & Jude White present an exhibition of artworks capturing the energies and turmoil in the aftermath of fires and floods in the Northern Rivers. Images of burnt trees, mud-stained houses and impacted landscapes are fragmented, scaled and remixed, depicting a time of great upheaval. Each artwork considers house our relationship to the landscape, and a sense of place and home can emerge during this time of recovery.

Exhibition dates: 3 May – 25 June 2023

Opening: 5:30pm 11 May 2023

Artist Talks: 2pm 17 June 2023

Northern Rivers Community Gallery, 44 Cherry Street, Ballina, NSW

>> Download the CATALOGUE of works here <<

Images – top: ‘Nothing’s the Same’  and Michelle Walker at NRCG; below: ‘After the Mud Dried I, II & III’ and Michelle Walker at NRCG. Photos: Nelly le Comte

ABC North Coast Interview

Julie Ray speaks with Michelle Walker

Earth Matters Exhibition poster

Land Weaver

A solo show of abstract landscapes by artist, Michelle Walker, exploring perceptions of ‘ownership’ and connection to the places we inhabit. These works play with the tradition of western landscape and its origins of providing those who are wealthy evidence of status using their property. In contrast, the artist see myself as part of the landscape. Painting from an aerial view, she map elements and features of significance in an abstract form, a legacy of her years as an environmental planner where maps were tools of the trade.

Exhibition dates: Feb – Mar 2021

Metcalfe Gallery, Brisbane

Image: ‘Land Weaver I’

See works from this exhibition

Out of the Blue

‘Out of the Blue’ was an exhibition of paint and print works by three collaborating artists exploring their passion for the natural environment in distinct and complementary ways. The theme ‘Out of the Blue’  captures both the physical colors of sea and sky that envelope landscapes of meaning for the artists, as well asthe sense of spontaneity and emergence when unexpected events impact on daily life. [This exhibition was rescheduled and interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and lived up to its title ‘Out of the Blue’!]

This was a joint exhibition with artists, Rachel Eberhard and Helen Douglass.

Exhibition dates: Feb – Mar 2021

Metcalfe Gallery, Brisbane

Image: ‘Serenity Hills: My Paddock Paradise’,  photo: Michelle Walker

Earth Matters Exhibition poster
Earth Matters Exhibition poster

Earth Matters

Featuring works in acrylics and mixed media, Michelle’s abstract landscapes are both a symbol of the places we inhabit, and the connections and experiences we hold in our hearts to those places. Michelle draws significant influence from her lifelong love of nature and her previous career in conservation. The past decade living at Serenity Hills farm near Nimbin has meant daily life is intimately spent with the changing rhythms of weather and nature. The threat of fires and the damage of landslips are part of everyday land management. This was a joint show of abstract landscapes with artist, Helen Douglass.

Exhibition dates: Aug – Sep 2022

Blue Knob Hall Gallery, Northern Rivers

Image: Collection of works from the ‘Poems of Water & Rust’ series, photo: Michelle Walker

Featured Paintings

Flooded Country

From my studio

Latest News

Episode 46 | Art that works for Nature

Episode 46 | Art that works for Nature

Mending & Tending: Art that works for Nature is a commissioned project by local artists Samantha Moss, Jess Poulsen and Shona Wilson currently happening in the Byron Shire. Each artist shares a deep connection and appreciation for the environment, as well as an...

Episode 45 | Reflections on Mounting an Exhibition

Episode 45 | Reflections on Mounting an Exhibition

After two months in the gallery, Michelle’s Ash, Mud & Tears exhibition has come down. In this episode, Michelle is joined by her exhibition collaborator, Jude White to discuss what’s emerged from the exhibition experience. They discuss the impact of the...

Episode 44 | Need to Recharge Your Energy Levels?

Episode 44 | Need to Recharge Your Energy Levels?

Do you sometimes feel too tired to make art? Do you ever struggle with managing energy levels in the ebb and flow of your creative practice? If yes, then this episode is worth a listen. Michelle and Jennifer talk through the energy dips that can result from finally...