Penrith Regional Gallery presents the major exhibition Spot the Difference, with original commissioned works examining the modern myth of the Blue Mountains panther, not only as a symbol of mystery and intrigue, but as a foundational story for the evolving identity of Penrith and its communities.
The Gallery has invited 18 artists from Penrith, Western Sydney and beyond to present new or existing bodies of work that connect with the mythology and iconography of the panther, or engage with the cultural and social functions of myth and storytelling in contemporary culture.
Stories of the panther in NSW have been reported for more than a century; in the past 20 years sightings have increased dramatically, locally and across Australia. Government enquiries have investigated, videos, photos and giant paw prints held up as evidence, eye witness accounts documented, yet no one seems closer to conclusively proving the existence of these wild animals living in close proximity to humans.
The image of the panther has become synonymous with a sense of place and pride for local residents across Western Sydney. This includes its powerful association with the Penrith Panthers and its passionate local fans who have been rewarded seeing their team win four successive premierships from 2021 to their recent hard-fought triumph in 2024.
Spot the Difference draws a connection between the resurgence of the panther myth, its prevalence within the region’s visual landscape, from the NRL Club to local business names and logos, and the role myth plays in contemporary society around community building.
The panther is also considered as a metaphor for colonisation, adaptation and migration, as an introduced species most probably first brought to Australia by boat, that has adapted, spread and now appears to roam the land unchecked.
The exhibition includes new commissions by Abdul-Rahman Abdullah, Billy Bain, Claudia Nicholson, Jason Phu and Regina Walter, and the works responding to this theme include textiles, ceramics, paintings, drawings, photography and printmaking.
Anna Louise Richards, Trespasser and Black Panther, charcoal and pastel works from On the Hunt. Participating artists are Abdul-Rahman Abdullah, Billy Bain, Daniel Boyd, Shannon Boyd, Blak Douglas, Troy Emery, Lyndal Irons, Claudia Nicholson, Jason Phu & Maja Baska (joint project), Anna Louise Richardson, Kate Rohde, Osselan Tupai Scanlan, Regina Walter, Chris Whiticker & Linda Brescia (joint project).
“Since moving to this area I’ve been enamoured with the mythology of the black panther. It’s a story that is both deeply connected to our local context and has universal resonance,” said Toby Chapman, Director, Penrith Regional Gallery and Exhibition Curator.
“It speaks to themes of contact on the urban/rural fringe; of displacement and settlement; and of course the idea that each time we evoke the image of the panther, in so many different forms, we reinvigorate the myth.”
“Strengthened by the Penrith Panthers’ triumphs on the field, the symbolism of the panther is now associated with ideas of community pride and resilience; of what it means to be successful and proud of being from the West.”
“It’s been eye-opening, inspiring and thrilling to invite this group of artists to connect with this place and the ideas associated with the panther. To give credence to this modern mythology and together ask the question, what can it tell us about the people and identity of Penrith?” said Chapman.
Spot the Difference is a celebration of local cultural diversity including First Nations artists and the thriving creative community in the West and Blue Mountains.
The exhibition highlights diverse practices, from Penrith muralist Shannon Boyd to the graphic designs of Pacifika artist Osselan ‘Ozzy’ Scanlan Tupai from St Marys who creates bespoke T-shirts and merchandise for Penrith Panthers players and fans, to Regina Walter who will work with The Penrith Museum of Printing to create her own newspaper with hand-drawn images… spot the difference.
Established artists include Daniel Boyd, Blak Douglas, Jason Phu, Anna Louise Richardson and Abdul-Rahman Abdullah. Richardson’s multi-media work On the hunt is inspired by a research project around large predatory animals, real and imagined.
Abdullah’s new commissioned work Big Cat considers the cultural duality occupied by feline creatures – domestic pet and wild animal, indoors and outdoors, day and night, fluffy plaything and relentless killing machine – as well as human relationships to the environment.
Paying tribute to the First Nations artists who were here since the beginning, Spot the Difference is all about celebrating and sharing this place, its people and stories.
“It’s our job to work with artists and communities to interrogate and unpack the stories that resonate with our place. Whether you believe in the panther on the loose or not, there’s no denying this is a great yarn,” said Chapman.
Spot the Difference
Penrith Regional Gallery, 86 River Road, Emu Plains (NSW)
Exhibition continues to 16 February 2025
Free entry
For more information, visit: www.penrithregionalgallery.com.au for details.
Image: Anna Louise Richardson, On the hunt (installation view), 2017. charcoal, acrylic, pastel and glow in the dark acrylic on cement fibreboard 215 x 345cm. Courtesy the artist. Photo by Docqment.