The Henry Jones Art Hotel, has launched its newest art-fuelled experience, Palawa Connection: Stories with Allan Mansell.Â
Designed in collaboration with Allan, a celebrated local indigenous artist known for his sustainable approach to printmaking, the experience will take guests on a journey through Tasmanian history and indigenous culture using Mansell’s stories and works as the medium.
Starting on 20 January, the fortnightly weekend experience will see Allan share tales of his upbringing and life as an indigenous man in Tasmania, the subtleties and stereotypes of indigenous art, his journey to printmaking and his distinctive, sustainable printmaking process, all while he creates a print of his latest piece, Before and After.
As Australia’s first dedicated art hotel, The Henry Jones Art Hotel is renowned for its support of local established and emerging artists and for showcasing art to tell stories of Tasmania’s past and present, providing guests with a deep understanding and connection to place.
The new experience embodies this and has been curated in collaboration with Allan to give guests a deep understanding of Tasmania’s indigenous history through an art narrative.
Allan will share his process for creating new artwork, drawing from his upbringing as a nomadic Tasmanian Aboriginal, the impact of being part of the Stolen Generation, and sharing rich traditional stories and personal statements through his pieces.
Allan has a long connection to the Hunter Street wharf area, having studied a Fine Arts Degree at the School of Creative Arts, which is located beside The Henry Jones Art Hotel. Allan’s work has since been sold all over the world and hangs in prestigious venues in Europe, Asia and America.
“I am a proud First Nations Man of lutruwita, and my main purpose lies in telling Aboriginal stories for young Aboriginal people to see through the historic art of printmaking,” says Mansell.
“My partnership in this new experience is driven by a deep commitment to passing on knowledge, preserving traditions and helping young minds find their voice through art, and I look forward to sharing what I know.”
Created exclusively for The Henry Jones Art Hotel, Before and After is Allan’s newest piece and represents Hunter Island and nipaluna (Hobart) before Europeans arrived. It depicts key landmarks of the area’s past and present interwoven with symbols of the First Nations people who have lived for thousands of years on the land. Only available through the Palawan Connection experience, and limited to ten prints per edition, Before and After is available for guests to buy directly from Allan himself.
Palawa Connection is available to book now via The Henry Jones Art Hotel team. It’s free for guests and just $20 for non-guests. To book, call 03 6210 7700 or email reservations@thehenryjones.com.
