Description

Every place holds stories, some celebrated, many forgotten, and others existing only as fragments in photographs, newspapers, memories, audio recordings or the landscape itself.
This is especially true for Wonthaggi's iconic Union Theatre site.

In this in situ artist talk, Rees Quilford will explore the creative practice behind the At the Union Lightbox Lane exhibition. In doing so it aims to reveal how contemporary art can reconnect communities with their own histories. Drawing on years of research with the Wonthaggi & District Historical Society, long hours spent in archival collections and place-based creative practice, the presentation will follow the transformation of historical fragments into immersive visual artworks.

Rather than presenting history as a fixed narrative, At the Union embraces speculation, imagination and layered storytelling, inviting audiences to consider how archival fragments, landscape and community continually reshape our understanding of place.

Through discussion on the creative process that informed the exhibition, the audience will gain insight into how archival photographs, newspapers, oral histories and overlooked details can be transformed into contemporary artworks that honour both history and lived experience.