As part of the Liddell WORKS exhibition, a discussion about the future of the Valley sang out through the garden at Scone Arts & Crafts on 9 March 2024. Facilitated by Arts Upper Hunter’s John O’Brien, “After Liddell” was a conversation of both generous listening and passionate feelings. The discussion was part of the Scone Literary Festival’s program for 2024, with 40 people listening intently throughout.
Artist Catherine Hickson sat beside a bold photo of her nude body at the edge of a coalfield (where her family farm used to be) and gave us her thoughts on reminiscence and loss. Penny Dunstan, scientist and artist, showed some intriguing bowls she’s made incorporating fly-ash and coal from the Liddell power station. She and AGL’s Rob Cooper mused on the feeling of being in the power station as an “artist tourist” and the positive reception that the workforce has had to the program. Local author Patrice Newell spoke of the need to question the profit motive, and for consultation and investigation of the changes that are proposed for our region as we move to a post-carbon future.
A force hovering over the event was Dr Glenn Albrecht – new terms that he has invented such as “solastalgia” (the feeling of grief as the “home” around you changes) were analysed. A general conclusion was the importance of “soliphilia” – solidarity and working together for a common cause.
The real achievement of the day was the way the many ideas and opinions were allowed space in the discussion . “It’s conversations like these that are going to make the changes we are all facing less scary,” said John afterwards. “I hope there are more of these open discussions to come.”
Read Glenn Albrecht’s thoughts on the language of Liddell: Liddell: Layers of Language in Landscape – LiddellWORKS
The Liddell WORKS exhibition opens on 8 June.
Image from left: John O’Brien, Penny Dunstan, Patrice Newell, Rob Cooper and Catherine Hickson. Taken by Suzannah Jones of Arts Upper Hunter.