Landmarks 75/25: 50 Years of the Women’s Art Register showcased artists from across the Register’s history—including founding members, past and present committee members, and volunteers—alongside ephemera from the archive. The exhibition reflected on the impact and evolution of the Women’s Art Register, celebrating its role as a vital resource for Australian women’s art.

Alongside Landmarks was Meredith Rogers’ solo show An Embroidered Memoir. This was a deeply personal work consisting of 74 small panels, each stitched with words and images—one for every year since Meredith Rogers was born. The textile-based reflection explored memory, time and storytelling through embroidery.

Over 100 guests attended the opening of the two shows at the George Paton Gallery on Thursday 6 March. The exhibition launched W.A.R.’s 50th anniversary celebrations and the 2025 Women’s Art Register poster designed by artist Katie Sfetkidis.

In the first exhibition space, Meredith Rogers’ embroideries were exhibited alongside a collection of works created in the 1970s by Bonita Ely, Lesley Dumbrell, Janine Burke, Erica McGilchrist, Elizabeth Gower, Anna Sande and Isabel Davies, who were instrumental in the founding of W.A.R.

In the second space, works by committee members and volunteers from the last two years were exhibited, plus ephemera from the archive and a timeline of its 50-year history. Landmarks honoured the artist-driven foundation of W.A.R. and illustrated the diverse expertise spanning art, design, conservation, education, writing and curation that continues to shape its legacy and ensure its future.

The exhibition room sheet, designed by Sahra Martin, can be downloaded below, along with the opening night speeches from Merren Ricketson and Anne Marsh.

Curated by Merren Ricketson and Kirsty Gorter.

Exhibitors: Leia Alex, Sandra Bridie, Louisa Bufardeci, Janine Burke, Sophie Calalesina, Virginia Coventry, Anna Daly, Isabel Davies, Lesley Dumbrell, Bonita Ely, Kirsty Gorter, Elizabeth Gower, Danni Hamilton, Gail Harradine, Annabell Lee, Christina Turner, Sahra Martin, Emma McAnelly, Erica McGilchrist, Claudia Phares, Caroline Phillips, Robyn Pridham, Susie Raz, Merren Ricketson, Anna Sande, Katie Sfetkidis, Brianna Simonsen, Kate Smith, Azza Zein. Documentation by Hunter Smith and Sahra Martin.

Download Room Sheet [PDF, 418KB]

Download Speeches [PDF, 99KB]