General News
24 July, 2023
Council purchase local artist’s war memorial centenary work
A painting by Maryborough artist Chris Orr depicting the centenary of the Avoca War Memorial is the newest addition to the Pyrenees Shire Council’s permanent art collection. Pyrenees Shire councillors moved unanimously to acquire the painting...
A painting by Maryborough artist Chris Orr depicting the centenary of the Avoca War Memorial is the newest addition to the Pyrenees Shire Council’s permanent art collection.
Pyrenees Shire councillors moved unanimously to acquire the painting, titled The Going Down of the Sun, for a sum of $990 earlier this year.
The painting will be displayed as part of the council’s permanent collection of art and recognises the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Avoca War Memorial in November 2021.
“I captured an image which pays homage to the memorial itself with its centenary, but it also encapsulates the creed — the going down of the sun,” Mr Orr said.
“I’ve used the image of a father and son as a generational thing to pass the concept of loss, freedom and sacrifice their forebears have made.
“It’s very much a painting for the town, it’s a personal thing, it commemorates and pays homage to the townspeople.”
Pyrenees Shire CEO Jim Nolan said the painting will become part of a growing showcase of local art and history.
“We’re excited to add this to our collection,” he said.
“It is becoming quite a significant collection now and in many ways it shows much of the community seen through the eyes of artists.
“Many of the paintings in our collection are by local artists and are of aspects of our community.
“We will certainly display this in a prominent location.”
Avoca Community Arts & Gardens facilitated the sale and president Hugh Forster said it will become a historic record.
“In 100 years time, this painting will probably be the only pictorial record of the anniversary of the re-opening that happened in November 2021,” he said.
“This work has some significance in the long-term and we thank council for putting its hand up to purchase this piece of artwork to add to its collection.
“That collection is growing and in the years to come it will be a collection of value that reflects the shire and its history.”