In Ngunnawal culture, (where I live) as with many Aboriginal cultures across Australia, trees hold deep and multifaceted symbolic meaning. It's important to understand that these meanings are intertwined with the broader concept of "Country," which encompasses not just the physical environment but also spiritual connections, ancestral knowledge, and cultural practices.

Trees are understood to be part of a interconnected web of life, holding spiritual energy and playing a role in the balance of Country.

There is a deep respect for older, "grandmother" trees, which are seen as repositories of wisdom.

Goddess with a Thousand Faces: Visions of the Feminine in Myth and Cosmos.

Humble House Gallery presents Goddess with a Thousand Faces, a new exhibition by Canberra- based artist Gautam Jhanjee, exploring the divine feminine across cultures and time. Featuring 13 large-scale paintings, the exhibition brings mythic archetypes into the present, illuminating their relevance in an era of change.

At its core is Shakti—the creative force that animates the cosmos—expressed through primordial power and cycles of transformation. Drawing from Eastern and Western traditions, Jhanjee bridges the ancient and contemporary, reflecting on universal themes of creation, destruction, and renewal.

“Myth and symbol are not just mere remnants of an ancient past—they are living forces that help us navigate life today,” says Jhanjee. “They reveal archetypal truths about the human psyche, pointing towards a collective heritage. My art therefore aims to emphasise this universality and celebrate what is common to us all.”

Jhanjee was born in India and has lived in Oman and the UK before moving to Australia with his wife in 2017. He has lived in Canberra since 2018. “Canberra has left an indelible mark on my journey as an artist. Its beautiful expanses and stillness have shaped my work in ways I am still coming to understand.”

He is known for his large-scale, symbolic paintings exploring mystical and archetypal themes. His work has been featured internationally via galleries, publications, and spiritual art festivals, and is held in private collections in India, Europe, and the US.

Goddess with a Thousand Faces is on view Wednesdays–Sundays, 10 am–4 pm, from 8 March to 6 April 2025 at Humble House Gallery, Canberra. The exhibition is supported by a grant from the ACT Government.

For press enquiries, interviews, or high-resolution images, please contact:

Gautam Jhanjee, Artist – 0455 111 691 | www.gautamjhanjee.com | @gautamsacredart Roger Carter, Humble House Gallery – 0416 075 356

Thank You for an Incredible Pink Stumps Day!

A huge thank you to everyone who came and supported our Pink Stumps Day in support of the McGrath Foundation. Your presence, contributions, and enthusiasm made this event truly special, helping us raise awareness and funds for a great cause.

A special thanks to MLA Suzanne Orr for attending and showing her support—it truly means a lot to us! Big appreciation to the India In Australia (High Commission Of India, Canberra) team for not only attending but also playing and supporting our event. Your participation added so much value to the day.

Also, a big shoutout to DJ Kamal Sharma for keeping the energy high with great music and to our cameraman Kris Kerehona for capturing all the wonderful moments of the day.

Together, we are making a difference, and I look forward to continuing this journey with you all.

#PinkStumpsDay #McGrathFoundation , Cricket ACT,Cricket Australia,The LBW Trust,Australian Sports Commission,@top fans

The Last Post Ceremony, December 8, 2024. Remembering Private Charles Hauenstein, 23rd Battalion, First World War. VIP in attendance The Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC. Featuring the Royal Military Collage Graduating Class of 2024. 

Last Post Ceremony on Sunday 30 June is the last official engagement of outgoing Governor-General David Hurley and Mrs Linda Hurley at the Memorial. This ceremony marks the last official duty of His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley, Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley.

Bomber Command Commemorative Wreath laying Ceremony, Bomber Command Memorial, Sculpture Garden, Australian War Memorial.

In attendance: His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley.

Representing the Prime Minister of Australia, The Honourable Matt Thistlethwaite MP.

I’ve recently returned from a field trip in Banff in the Canadian Rockies and also Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta. The begining of Autumn brought the colour, and I was glad to see the snow on the magnificent Canadian Rockies. I also managed to explore the urban areas too, so I hope you enjoy your visit.

Returning to the Australian War Memorial after five years, reminded me of the eight years of work I had produced before - and what a legacy I have to build upon. With the new gallery redevelopments I have the opportunity to work with the old team and create stories for the new galleries. I also get to shoot too, having some work selected for the AWM’s Annual Review publication.

Extending my leaning at the Goulburn Regional Art Gallery with renowned  artists Honey Long and Prue Stent. The collaborative duo who construct surreal scenes where the body serves as both raw material and haunting apparition. Dreamy, fluid and fleshy, their distinctive and highly sensual practice has garnered worldwide recognition, spanning the realms of photography, performance, installation, and sculpture. With a live model on hand and a range of materials, participants will have the opportunity to capture their own images, experimenting with angles, light, objects, lenses and materials to create unique visual narratives. The photographs I have presented here are ones I captured, the creative vision, concept and materials are entirely the IP of the artists who were so generous with sharing their practice with me today.

Bare Witness, November 2019.

Bob McKendry, Kris Kerehona, Lisa Mattiazzi, Mark Mohell and Prue Hazelgrove

"There is profound liberation in the unpredictable, instinctive nature of simply experiencing the world – alive – away from the strictures of life’s routines and minutiae, social shackles cast aside. It is something that transcends any conscious outlook: to imbibe without limitation; to feel without rationale; to simply be and bear witness." Mark Mohell.

The 2019 Napier Waller Art Prize was open to current and former service personnel in the Australian Defence Force.  2019 was the second year of the prize. This online exhibition presented a shortlist of 26 works from 113 entries, selected by a panel of art professionals from the Australian War Memorial.

Persona is a commemorative project that celebrates the artistic talents and creative endeavors of contemporary Australian veterans. Born from a chance encounter in 2017 between Tanja Johnston, founder of the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum (ANVAM), and professional photographer Michael Christofas, Persona showcases the multifaceted identities of these veterans as both artists and individuals. Through striking photographic portraits and accompanying narratives, the project offers a glimpse into their lived experiences, highlighting their service, sacrifice, and creative expressions.

Supported by a DVA Saluting Their Service grant, Persona launched nationally with an exhibition, an online digital showcase, and a publication. Notably, the exhibition was held in the prestigious Queens Hall of Victorian Parliament House in March 2022, marking the first exhibition in Parliament since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This prominent display of 12 large photographic panels served to honor these veterans and raise public awareness of their contributions both during and after their military service.