Artist’s work hangs in Whitehaven’s corporate offices

To kick off NAIDOC Week on Monday, Whitehaven Coal unveiled a commissioned painting by talented Narrabri artist Janice Knox.

Due to COVID-19 protocols, the unveiling of ‘Generations’ was staged at Whitehaven’s Newcastle office and linked into its Gunnedah base via Zoom where Ms Knox and members of her family joined the celebration.

“It’s a beautiful piece of art and we feel very fortunate to hang it on the walls at Whitehaven,” said Whitehaven Coal executive general manager of health, safety and environment Sarah Withell.

Entitled ‘Generations’, the piece will now take pride of place at Whitehaven’s corporate office in Newcastle.

Ms Knox, 60, the daughter of the late and esteemed artist, Narrabri’s Cyril Knox, has been painting for 20 years and this is her first major commission.

She said it took her two months to finish ‘Generations’ from an easel that was specially set up at her home to complete the project.

It depicts her parents, brother, sister and grand-daughters and the roads that led her and her family to Narrabri where she has lived since the age of 12.

“One of the roads is Toomelah Road. I remember my mother and father used to dance on that,” Ms Knox said.

The proceeds of the commission have enabled Ms Knox to buy herself a car.

Whitehaven Coal is passionate about promoting its indigenous personnel and communities and is very proactive about celebrating the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.