Dr Peter Bell, Prince of Wales Hotel on Mosman Street, Gudjal Country / Charters Towers, Queensland, ca. 1896, Photograph.
Mike Carney Creative Industries Centre, 96 Mosman Street, Gudjal Country / Charters Towers.
The Mike Carney Creative Industries Centre is a not-for-profit, social-enterprise-driven creative space. The multi-roomed centre is home to a gallery, shop, workshop space and venue for exhibitions, Q&A nights, events, training and activities. The centre provides a safe and stimulating place for creatives, community groups and industry experts to showcase their work and access professional development, training, workshops and meetings. The creatives and organisers identify with the concept that creativity changes lives and communities.
View the interactive PUNQ Art Trail Map for directions or experience as part of our Gudjal Country / Charters Towers Art, Gold and History Tour.
Venue AccessibilityOpening Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 10AM - 2PM*
*Hours will extend to coincide with the Twilight Arts Market on 17 August 2024.
View the interactive PUNQ Art Trail Map for directions.
PricingFree entry.
Thursday 1 - Sunday 18 August Wed - Sat: 10am - 2pm
Timber & Iron: A New Perspective
The Timber & Iron exhibition offers a profound exploration of how architecture in nineteenth-century Charters Towers was shaped by the land, distance, climate, and wealth. Dr. Peter Bell's captivating black-and-white photographs capture the essence of this historic town, revealing how these elements influenced early European settlement in Australia.
The rugged landscape of Charters Towers necessitated the use of local materials, such as timber and iron, to construct durable yet adaptable homes. These materials were not only abundant but also well-suited to withstand the harsh climatic conditions. The heat of North Queensland led to the development of wide verandas, high ceilings, and strategically placed windows to promote ventilation and shade, showcasing a distinct architectural response to the environment.
Distance from urban centers meant that settlers had to be self-sufficient, crafting homes that were both functional and aesthetically pleasing with the resources at hand. This isolation fostered a unique architectural style, blending practicality with creativity.
Wealth from the gold mining boom brought prosperity, allowing for the embellishment of homes with intricate woodwork and ornate iron lacework. These affluent residences stood as symbols of success and stability amidst the challenging frontier.
Through Dr. Bell's lens, the "Timber & Iron" exhibition vividly illustrates how land, distance, climate, and wealth collectively shaped the architectural identity of Charters Towers, offering a window into the ingenuity and resilience of early European settlers in Australia.
About The ArtistMike Carney Creative Industries Centre, 96 Mosman Street, Gudjal Country / Charters Towers.
The Mike Carney Creative Industries Centre is a not-for-profit, social-enterprise-driven creative space. The multi-roomed centre is home to a gallery, shop, workshop space and venue for exhibitions, Q&A nights, events, training and activities. The centre provides a safe and stimulating place for creatives, community groups and industry experts to showcase their work and access professional development, training, workshops and meetings. The creatives and organisers identify with the concept that creativity changes lives and communities.
View the interactive PUNQ Art Trail Map for directions or experience as part of our Gudjal Country / Charters Towers Art, Gold and History Tour.
Venue AccessibilityOpening Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 10AM - 2PM*
*Hours will extend to coincide with the Twilight Arts Market on 17 August 2024.
View the interactive PUNQ Art Trail Map for directions.
PricingFree entry.
Back to HomePUNQ respectfully acknowledges the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun and the surrounding groups of our region; Bindal, Gugu Badhan, Nywaigi, Warrgamay, Bandjin and Gudjal as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather, share and celebrate local creative practice. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first people of Australia. They have never ceded sovereignty and remain strong in their enduring connection to land and Culture.