Themes of reconciliation explored by two artists from different backgrounds in new Northcliffe exhibition

An exhibition showcasing the unique collaboration of two artists opened in Northcliffe at the weekend, exploring ideas of reconciliation and forgiveness. Brought together by a shared tragedy, Desmond Taylor and Helen Seiver have spent the past four years working together on a profound artistic journey of forgiveness and healing. Combining stitched artwork with installation, painting, photography, sculpture, natural materials and video, the artists deeply engage with a history that is shared and a tragedy that is being reconciled. Seiver said the pair had been exploring how best to create art which focused on forgiveness and reconciliation. “All of those things are difficult to make artwork about when it’s very personal — it’s personal to Desmond and personal to me,” she said. “This exhibition is called Another Way because Desmond sees this as another way that people can do reconciliation in a very positive way, by making art together.” Seiver said the exhibition showcased special Martu traditions which Taylor had shared with her over the past five years. “For instance, a little installation here in this exhibition, it’s got a large photograph of Desmond and I sitting and we have a circle on our heads. . . a tradition of the Martu people for when you have to have an important discussion,” she said. “You sit and you have these on your head and if you get agitated or restless, it falls off and you have to start the conversation again. “It’s just the most amazing tradition.” The exhibition at the Painted Tree Gallery in Northcliffe is part of a bigger exhibition which began in March 2024 at the Holmes a Court Gallery in Perth. Seiver said she felt it was important to share the themes of the exhibition with a South West audience. “It shows how people can work together, forgive each other, and come to some kind of resolution and reconciliation,” she said. “If you think about the wider Australian ambition that we do have reconciliation, this exhibition shows just a small way that that can happen — by being respectful of each other, listening to each other.” Seiver said while setting up the exhibition, she saw a man walk in and cry. “That’s the effect that all of this has on people,” she said. “Desmond in particular says it’s very important to everyone’s healing that we show this exhibition.” Australian businesswoman and philanthropist Janet Holmes a Court will officially open the exhibition in March.