We are delighted to announce that ’Feels Like Summer’ and ‘The Summer House’ by Robyn Sweaney has been acquired for the rotational art collection within the Australian Parliament House Art Collections.
This collection comprises works of contemporary Australian art and craft that reflects aspects of Australian culture, character and identity. The Rotational Collection is on display in general circulation areas at Parliament House, in the parliamentarians’ suites, and public exhibitions.
“I have always been drawn to the exterior of more modestly scaled homes within the Australian landscape. The theme of ‘home’ as a concept has been challenged and adapted over the years as economics and external circumstances have changed. The external face of our urban landscape has become radically different especially along the coastal fringe of Australia.
’Feels Like Summer’ and ‘Summer House’ are two paintings that are part of an ongoing series of Australian coastal houses I have been working on over the past 10 years. My focus on the beach house stems from a need to find places that are more minimalistic and parred back with the added element of personal reflection and nostalgia. These two simple beach houses are situated in Wooli situated on Bundjalung Country, on the traditional homelands of the Gumbaynggirr and Yaegal Nations. Wooli still contains a diverse mixture of very closely situated, unassuming beach houses and shacks. They represent a simpler way of life and although no one was outside evidence of life is indicated with a simple beach towel casually left on a fence and a red bin ready out the front for collection. These elements create a vignette of a life only imagined when in use by the owners or visitors.” - Robyn Sweaney
Next time you visit the wonderful Parliament House and their incredible collection, take some time with these beautiful works.
