Exhibitions

Currently on Display

Of Rust and Rain by Rowena Payne and Clare Murphy

Of Rust and Rain brings together the remarkable talents of Mount Isa mother-and-daughter artists Rowena Paine Murphy and Claire Murphy.

This captivating exhibition celebrates two very different artistic practices, united by a shared passion for creativity, craftsmanship and continual learning. Rowena’s beautifully detailed paintings reflect a lifelong dedication to the techniques of the Masters, while Claire’s extraordinary metal sculptures showcase her self-taught skills in draftsmanship, engineering and boilermaking.

Claire’s sculptural works extend beyond the Gallery walls, with the magnificent Campdrafter standing proudly on the Gallery lawn. Inside, visitors can discover further works that demonstrate her distinctive approach to sculpture and her fascination with the forms and stories of the Australian bush.

Of Rust and Rain offers an opportunity to experience the creative journeys of two generations — where paint meets metal, tradition meets experimentation, and a lifelong love of making takes centre stage.

Of Rust and Rain will be on display until the beginning of December.

Coming Soon

The Queensland Renaissance by Phillip Rang

The biennial Grassland Art Prize (The GAP) invites visual artists from across Australia to submit works for its 2026 competition. This year’s theme, Shifting Perspectives, encourages fresh ways of seeing and interpreting Country.

On display January to March 2026.

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Gallery Program 2026

The Tambo Arts Council has compiled an exciting and diverse program of exhibitions for Grasslands 2026.

The gallery foyer will showcase local artists works from April through to October.

A program of workshops is currently being developed and will be rolled out throughout the year.

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Of Rust and Rain

Of Rust and Rain, a Mother-Daughter exhibition, brings together Mount Isa artists Rowena Paine-Murphy and Claire Murphy to explore their connection to the Australian Outback. Rowena’s large-scale gum tree landscapes in oil capture the land’s quiet strength and resilience, while Claire’s welded steel sculptures transform discarded materials into powerful forms of birds, animals, and humans. Together, their work celebrates family, land, and renewal, forged by hand, heart, and heritage.

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