
Jo Bertini, The Road Out West, 2013 oil on canvas, 91 x 91 cm.
11 October to 16 November 2014
The concept of âOut Westâ is a relative experience in Australia. The âWestâ is âOutbackâ, foreign, unknown territory, wilderness. Perhaps it is only when one has experienced truly remote, isolated areas of Australia â the inland desert regions â that this concept of the âWild Wild Westâ holds real meaning. Jo Bertinisâ paintings are an investigation into people and place, gender roles and the transformative nature of the Australian landscape. They offer an alternative to the predominantly archived, non-indigenous (western), male history and vision of the desert landscape genre. They investigate neglected concepts from the perspective of the âFemale Explorerâ, âFrontiers Womanâ and pay homage to women whose lives have been irrevocably linked with country usually perceived as male terrain. The female âWild Wild Westâ is still a visually under-described landscape. These works come from Jo Bertinisâ years as Expedition Artist on scientific, exploration, research and survey work with Australian Desert Expeditions. This exhibition is presented in association with the Central West Regional Art Award.