Ironbark Gallery

The Tractor Chapters: Annabel Butler

The Tractor Chapters brings together paintings, drawings, sculptures and assemblages reflecting Annabel Butler’s decades-long fascination with vehicles.

Substitutes for humans, her anthropomorphic vehicles have lives of their own. Animated through expressive brushwork and bold colour they are a playful assembly of personalities, some of whom appear to have sauntered out of a children’s picture book.

The exhibition showcases a variety of characters going about their business, including tractors at Arthur Boyd’s Bundanon, excavators on Munich construction sites and diggers in suburban Sydney. Recent works depicting vehicles venturing indoors into the Ironbark Gallery, situated within the Strathfield Library & Innovation Hub, marks the latest chapter in Butler's long-running conversation with her steadfast mechanical companions.

EXHIBITION
Strathfield Library & Innovation Hub
14 August – 11 October 2026 

OFFICIAL OPENING:
Thursday 13 August 2026, 6pm

GUEST SPEAKER:
Peter Crisp, OAM, international glass artist & tractor driver on the farm

RSVP:
Thursday 6 August 2026
Bookings are required for the opening for catering purposes.
exhibitions@strathfield.nsw.gov.au

Media Release(PDF, 166KB)

Exhibition Overview(PDF, 100KB)

Artist Q&A - Annabel Butler(PDF, 1MB)

Watch Now: Exhibition Tour of The Tractor Chapters: Annabel Butler

Image: Annabel Butler, The Little Guy 2024, oil on paper on board, 12x17cm

Upcoming Exhibition: Next Stop, Strathfield: Travel Through History

All aboard for a lively journey through Strathfield’s transport story! Best known today for its busy railway station, Strathfield has also been home to some surprising transport firsts, including Australia’s first motorcycle race at Homebush. Discover how people, goods and ideas moved through the district over time, from early roads, stagecoaches, ferries and steamers to bicycles, motorcycles, freight, trams, buses, car yards, cars and even planes. Come along and see Strathfield’s history in motion.

EXHIBITION
Strathfield Library & Innovation Hub
15 October – 6 December 2026 

OFFICIAL OPENING:
Thursday 15 October 2026, 6pm with historical talk

RSVP:
Thursday 8 October 2026
Bookings are required for the opening for catering purposes.
exhibitions@strathfield.nsw.gov.au

Media Release

Exhibition Overview(PDF, 140KB)

Image: Route 480 Strathfield Station bus overtaking bus on charter in Homebush Road at Gelling Avenue, Strathfield, 18 April 1970. Photographer: John Ward, City of Sydney Archives, A-01078953

Please email exhibitions@strathfield.nsw.gov.au for more information.

Stay up-to-date with the Ironbark Gallery, subscribe to the eNews.

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

 Applications are now open to exhibit in the Ironbark Gallery in 2026.

 APPLICATIONS CLOSE 1 DECEMBER 2025

All applicants are evaluated by a selection committee and based on the written application and supporting material provided.

Those considering applying are encouraged to refer to past exhibiting artist, Marina Mavritsky’s application as an example of a succinct and considered application(PDF, 2MB). 

All applicants should read the Community Art Space Program Scope and Conditions.pdf (PDF, 197KB)(PDF, 223KB)

View the Ironbark Gallery floor plan here(PDF, 606KB)

Questions or comments? Please email Ironbark Gallery Curator  renee.porter@strathfield.nsw.gov.au