2026 Exhibition Program

Albany Town Hall GallerIES

HOWARD tAYLOR: MATERIAL PRACTICE  

15 May - 20 June | Albany Town Hall 

Howard Taylor: Material practice invites viewers to experience the work of one of Western Australia’s most significant artists through selected works from The State Art Collection.

Howard Taylor (1918-2001) is renowned for his captivating landscape paintings and sculptures. Taylor’s art, often exploring the interplay of light and form, reflects his connection to the natural environment. Central to his vision was also his profound engagement with materials, and this approach led to widespread acclaim, including recognition by the WA State Government, which named him a living treasure in 1999 and citizen of the year in 2000.

Artwork: Howard Taylor Double self-portrait, 1959, oil on composition board, 93.2 x 105.5cm (framed), The State Art Collection, The Art Gallery of WA. Purchased 1985.
Supported by the WA Government through the Regional Exhibition Touring Boost.

Exhibition: 15 May - 20 June 
Curator Talk: Fri 22nd May, 3.30pm 
Albany Town Hall 
217 York St, Albany 
Open Tue - Sat 10-5pm 

BINALUP, MENANG | First light, first people

Portrait Exhibition – Menang Elder Carol Pettersen and portrait photographer Nic Duncan
26 June - 26 July | Albany Town Hall 

A Menang-led collaboration between Elders and award-winning portrait photographer Nic Duncan, this exhibition features a series of 29 portraits of Elders and other key Menang people, shining a light on their contributions to the Menang community and the wider Albany community.

Interviews with each featured Elder were recorded, with captions drawn from those conversations accompanying the portraits to share their stories, achievements, and contributions to the region.

Menang Elder, Aunty Carol Pettersen says the project “highlights the contributions of our First Nations people in shaping the community we have today, telling our story in a way that builds pride and confidence in our youth while fostering mutual respect and collaboration.” Uncle Lester Coyne adds, “Many of our Elders are ‘quiet achievers,’ so this is a wonderful way to recognize them publicly.”

This meaningful project will leave a lasting legacy, ensuring the images and stories of the Menang people are recognised, celebrated, and shared with future generations.

The exhibition also includes nine additional portraits of Elders which Nic was commissioned to photograph for NAIDOC Week in 2023.

Nic has been a finalist three times in the National Photographic Portrait Prize and WA AIPP Professional Portrait Photographer of the Year.

Panel Discussion:
Saturday 4 July, 10.30am – Albany Town Hall
Join a panel discussion including the artist, Nic Duncan and Elder Carol Pettersen.

Art Conversation
Wed 8 July, 2.30pm – Albany Town Hall
Join us in the Albany Town Hall gallery for a conversation that turns the lens towards photographic portraiture, discussing the work of WA Professional Portrait Photographer of the Year, and three times National Photographic Portrait Prize finalist, Nic Duncan and her collaboration with Menang Elders.

Exhibition: 26 June - 26 July 
Albany Town Hall 
217 York St, Albany 
Open Tue - Sat 10-5pm