Six original 1940’s EJ Mantova artworks were returned to the Bellingen Shire this month, with an exhibition opening at the Bellingen Shire Library to celebrate.
Jenny Hicks, President of the Bellingen Community Arts Council (BCAC) took on the restoration of the paintings, with the full support of the BCAC committee, before they were donated to Bellingen Shire Council.
“The paintings were bequested to the Bellingen Community Arts Council by Kylie McTackett, the daughter-in-law of the late Bellingen solicitor John McTackett,” said Jenny Hicks.
“He was a contemporary and friend of Mantova, and he bought the six paintings from Mantova in the 1940s.”
“Ernest John Mantova is credited as Bellingen’s first professional artist, moving here in 1931 as a roving artist specialising in creating advertising murals, and living here until his death in 1952.”
“Like so many artists after him, Mantova fell in love with the Shire and stayed for the next 20 years painting landscape works and supporting other artists.”
The six paintings depict Bellingen landscapes that are still familiar more than 80 years later, including images of the Bellingen River, iconic Jacarandas and Flame Trees, and Dorrigo Road (now known as Waterfall Way).
Mayor Cr. Steve Allan said that when he was contacted by BCAC to ask if Bellingen Shire Council would like the paintings he was quick to accept.
“Mantova is still held in high regard here in the Bellingen Shire, with the area’s longest running annual art prize named after him, as part of the Bellingen Agricultural Show,” said Mayor Allan.
“It is with great pride that we accept these paintings and display them in the Bellingen Library to share with residents and visitors to the area.”
“One of the things I love about these paintings is that they feel so familiar – they capture the timeless character of the Bellingen Shire in a way that makes them feel like home.”
Most of the artworks are unnamed, and while some locations are obvious, there are others that remain a mystery. We invite members of the public to come in, view the paintings, and if they know where a particular unnamed location might be, let one of our librarians know!