Echoes of Silence: Amanda Hitchens & Clair Reynolds
Echoes of Silence is a collection of artworks that has grown from regular visits Amanda Hitchens and Clair Reynolds have taken, exploring and photographing Rookwood Cemetery. Beyond the gates, time softens. Memories surface, grief lingers quietly, and moments of reflection emerge.
It is amongst the gravestones that trees, flowers, and wild grasses flourish, gently reclaiming the landscape. In this shifting space between care and wildness, we move slowly through the grounds, a special haven outside the realm of everyday life.
What began as a year-long project continues to evolve. For three years, Amanda and Clair have witnessed the changing seasons, the quiet presence of angels and cherubs, scurrying creatures, countless pigeons, and the occasional goat. Not to mention the ants. So many ants!
Photographs taken during these visits developed into works utilising various materials such as tracing paper, acrylic and metal, reflecting themes of memory, loss, and the quiet resilience of nature.
EXHIBITION
Strathfield Library & Innovation Hub
19 June – 10 August 2026
OFFICIAL OPENING:
Thursday 18 June 2026, 6pm
GUEST SPEAKER:
Len Metcalf
Artist, educator, adventurer and environmentalist. Founder and teacher of “Len’s School”
RSVP:
Thursday 11 June 2026
Bookings are required for the opening for catering purposes.
exhibitions@strathfield.nsw.gov.au
Media Release(PDF, 157KB)
Exhibition Overview(PDF, 85KB)
Artist Q&A - Amanda Hitchens(PDF, 1MB)
Artist Q&A - Clair Reynolds(PDF, 2MB)
Watch Now: Exhibition Tour of Echoes of Silence: Amanda Hitchens & Clair Reynolds
Image: Amanda Hitchens, Unfading 2026, ink jet print on cotton rag photo paper, Mod Podge image transfer onto cotton fabric (left), Clair Reynolds, Enchanting eucalypts 2026, infrared photograph printed on brushed aluminium (right)