Artists Kerrie Warren, Leonie Ryan, Gary Miles, Eileen Harrison, Laurie Collins and Jenny Murray-Jones

collaborated on a two year touring exhibition and cultural exchange ‘Wild Dogs from Down Under’ 2006 – 2008.

The title represented their geographical location – Warragul, Australia.

Together the artists created a touring exhibition of paintings and sculpture ‘inspired by Gippsland’ (their place).

The six dedicated artists toured with the work as art-inspired ambassadors, representing their region and crossing the language barrier through visual art in JiuJiang China.

The Wild Dogs reunited once again to exhibit ‘Then & Now’ at the West Gippsland Arts Centre in 2019,

proudly supported by Gary Blackwood MP, Member for Narracan.

More recently the Wild Dogs have been invited to exhibit once again!

‘Past & Present’ at the Gippsland Art Gallery in Sale from 10th of December 2022 – 19th February 2023.

Read more about the Wild Dog journey below…

Wild Dogs from Down Under and the Baw Baw Shire Delegation at the Welcoming Reception in JiuJiang China, hosted by Mayor Ms Wang Ping.

 Wild Dogs from Down Under artists in Queen’s Hall, Parliament House Melbourne with Karen Whitaker-Taylor and David Balfour – Baw Baw Shire Council, Mr Ted Baillieu – Leader of the Opposition & Shadow Minister for the Arts, Gary Blackwood MP Member for Narracan and the Lord Mayor of Melbourne John So.

‘Gippsland’ on tour was officially opened for the first time at the West Gippsland Arts Centre in Warragul by Mayor, Mr. Ian Clark.

More than 300 guests joined the artists to celebrate at the opening.

‘Gippsland’ was hosted by the Meeniyan Art Gallery in the Shire of South Gippsland, Burrinja in Upwey and Queen’s Hall, Parliament House Melbourne where it was officially opened by Mr. Ted Baillieu – Leader of the Opposition & Shadow Minister for the Arts.

The Lord Mayor of Melbourne John So attended and offered assistance through his office if we required.

The ‘Official Welcome Reception’ in JiuJiang China was overwhelming. Mayor Ms Wang Ping hosted an official Reception Ceremony for the Wild Dog artists and the BBSC delegation.

Mr. Christopher Wright, Senior Trade Commissioner & Deputy General of Austrade in Shanghai flew to JiuJiang to meet the Wild Dogs and speak on their behalf at the ceremony in local dialect.

 Mr. Chen Anzhong – Secretary of JiuJiang Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China also visited the exhibition and was introduced to the artists. 

Vice Mayor Li Wei, Austrade Officials from Shanghai and Wuhan, Ms Grace Bai Financial Controller Australian Government, Shanghai attended.

Initial plans were to end the tour when the exhibition arrived back home from China but the artists were then invited to exhibit at the Gippsland Art Gallery in Sale and the Latrobe Regional Gallery in Morwell before completing the tour back at the West Gippsland Arts Centre in Warragul – extending the project to more than two years.

The artists created a magnificent body of work and and each gave their time to deliver and install at each location, representing ‘Gippsland’ and attending numerous community engagements and openings. 

Each artist made an enormous financial, physical and emotional commitment to create, exhibit, tour and inspire others – as a group, it cost approximately $60,000 AUSD. 

The Gippsland region received regular updates about ‘Gippsland’ on tour and the Wild Dog Artists through many generous editorials written by the Warragul Gazette and Maree Wallace, editor of Baw Baw Country.

The Warragul & Drouin Gazette followed the progress and supported this project right from the very beginning. A variety of Communities outside our Region became aware of ‘The Wild Dogs from Down Under’ on tour through media, promotions and advertising provided by the host Galleries.

In JiuJiang China, the artists made it onto the front page of 5 different papers in one week and were interviewed by television twice! 

The Wild Dogs from Down Under made quite an impression on the city of JiuJiang (4.7 million people) as locals called the newspaper, radio and television stations to learn more about them! 

The Wild Dog project inspired media and through that highlighted Gippsland, the individual Artists and their supporters.

The Wild Dogs from Down Under were awarded with the Arts Business RAVE Award 2007.

The Success of this project required the support of a number of people and organisations as acknowledged below…

The Baw Baw Shire Council supported this project from the very outset; believing in the artists and their concept of the overall project.

Mr. Russell Broadbent, MP Electoral Division of Monash (Vic) provided advice, encouragement and inspiring words.

Paul James Design created the catalogue, website, invitations and postcards, providing the group with innovative tools to promote and present the exhibition, the artists and the project.

Michelle Dunn generously gave her time and creativity to write and edit the project details and artists statements that feature in the catalogue and on the website.

Maree Wallace editor of Baw Baw Country has been a supporter and promoted the Wild Dogs from Down Under on numerous occasions by way of editorials and promotion.

GippslandArtists.com for their generous promotion.

Also, Vision Australia 93.5 FM and Neville Pellitt.

Wild Dog Winery who created a Shiraz and Chardonnay labelled ‘Wild Dogs from Down Under’ and from each bottle sold, $1 was donated back into the Wild Dog project.

Tarago River Cheese supports this project and have provided mouth-watering ‘Shadows of Blue’ for all to enjoy at each exhibition opening.

Des Dillon provided financial support to assist in the production of a promotional video filmed by Magyar Smith Productions.

Logos Unlimited printed the Wild Dogs from Down Under t-shirts which have made a huge impact on the promotion of the group – logo designed by artist Jenny Murray-Jones.

The Warragul and Drouin Gazette followed the Wild Dog story from the very beginning and have provided the group with professional photography, editorial write ups and inspired community interest.

West Gippsland Arts Centre Warragul supported this project and provided the space, the ‘Fountain Room’ where the exhibition ‘Gippsland’ was officially ‘Opened’ for the first time by Mayor Cr. Ian Clark and and Graham Stapleton who also provided support through Warragul Hire & Drive.

Stage Door provided catering and went out of their way to assist the artists throughout the exhibition period.

Meeniyan Art Gallery hosted the exhibition during January 2007. Director Meg Viney coordinated the ‘Opening’ and ‘Artist Talk’; sponsored by Meeniyan Art Gallery and the Shire of South Gippsland.

Burrinja Gallery hosted the exhibition during Feb / March 2007. Director Ross Furnell and Indigenous Collection Programs Manager Nicholas Boseley coordinated ‘Artist Talks’ on a variety of weekends during the exhibition. Burrinja Gallery, Wild Dog Winery and Tarago River Cheese sponsored the ‘Opening’.

Latrobe Regional Gallery generously donated the use of their International Touring Crates and hosted Wild Dogs ‘Unleashed’ on their return from China. 

A special thank you to Mr. Tim Wills, Regional Development Victoria for an enlightening speech at the opening!

International Power / Mitsui Loy Yang B acquired artworks by Eileen Harrison and Jenny Murray-Jones, providing funds to travel (Artist Support Program).

Jonathan & Vivien Allen collected artwork by Kerrie Warren providing funds to travel (Artist Support Program).

Baw Baw Shire Council acquired artworks by Leonie Ryan (Artist Support Program), and Laurie Collins.

 Angela Betheras Consultancy managed the packing, shipping and customs requirements of the work during its overseas tour.

Multiplex Capital sponsored the cost of the Art Partitions that the group was required to install in Queen’s Hall, Parliament House for their exhibition in the first week of May 2007. The partitions were erected with assistance provided by the Rotary Club of Warragul.

The catering on this special night has been generously sponsored by the Baw Baw Shire Council and MP Gary Blackwood, Member for Narracan who also supported this project and communicated with the Parliament of Victoria to exhibit this work in Queens Hall.

Mr Ted Baillieu MLA, Leader of the Opposition & Shadow Minister for the Arts who officially ‘Opened’ the exhibition in Queen’s Hall, Parliament House Melbourne on the1st May 2007.

We were overjoyed to meet Lord Mayor of Melbourne John So when he came to the opening at Parliament House accompanied by Lady Mayoress Wendy Cheng.

Warragul Hire & Drive generously loaned a truck to transport the exhibition to and from the shipping port in Melbourne.

Oamps Insurance Brokers Warragul generously donated financial sponsorship to assist the project and have been a big help in sourcing the necessary insurance required for the journey.

Peter & Lois Juratowitch created a slide show of JiuJiang and prepared the artists with very helpful tips and advice which came into great use!

The JiuJiang Municipal People’s Government and Ms Wang Ping who embraced our visitation, providing interpreters, publicity, and the wonderous opportunity and means to meet the artists of JiuJiang.

The S&N International Hotel in JiuJiang who provided a welcoming and warm service, also hosted a very special evening with Ms Betty Yang!

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

Winners of the SP Ausnet Arts & Cultural Industry Award, SP Ausnet and Baw Baw Shire Council 2007

The Wild Dogs from Down Under were awarded with the Arts Business RAVE Award which was presented on the 5th May 2007.