Boy on the Hill | Print - Michael Crowley Art
Boy on the Hill | Print - Michael Crowley Art
Boy on the Hill | Print - Michael Crowley Art
Boy on the Hill | Print - Michael Crowley Art
Boy on the Hill | Print - Michael Crowley Art
Boy on the Hill | Print - Michael Crowley Art
Boy on the Hill | Print - Michael Crowley Art
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Boy on the Hill | Print - Michael Crowley Art
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Boy on the Hill | Print - Michael Crowley Art
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Boy on the Hill | Print - Michael Crowley Art
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Boy on the Hill | Print - Michael Crowley Art
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Boy on the Hill | Print - Michael Crowley Art
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Boy on the Hill | Print - Michael Crowley Art
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Boy on the Hill | Print - Michael Crowley Art

Boy on the Hill | Print

Vendor
Michael Crowley Art
Regular price
$645.00
Sale price
$645.00
Regular price
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Unit price
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Limited edition fine art print of Michaels original artwork: Boy on the Hill.

  • Free standard shipping to anywhere in the world
  • Limited to 400 prints
  • Signed Certificate of Authenticity
  • Available in 3 sizes
  • Available in either paper or canvas

Guide: How to choose the right print.

Note: Please keep in mind that due to the difference between webpage screen and printing materials, printed images may look slightly different to the web images. 

About

Finalist: Black Swan Prize | Portraiture Salon des Refuses


About the painting

One of the darkest chapters of Australian history was the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families. Children as young as babies were stolen from their families to be placed in girls and boys homes, foster families or missions. At the age of of 18 they were ‘released’ into white society, most scarred for life by their experiences.

These Aboriginal people are collectively referred to as the ‘Stolen Generations’ because several generations were affected.

Many Aboriginal people are still searching for their parents and siblings.

- Creative Spirits, 2021 

For Harry Bennett, the search for his mother would last 100 years.

 

____

 

In 2017 I travelled to Katherine, Northern Territory to meet Harry Bennett. At the time he was 100 years old, and the oldest living survivor of the Stolen Generations.

In spite of the tragedies of his childhood, Harry had gone on to live a full and joyous life and it was for this reason I believe he was surprised at the idea of someone wanting to paint him.

Over the course of 2 days we sat, talked, and reflected together; and as we did, Harry shared with me the secret to overcoming the trauma, suffering and injustice of one’s past and living with peace and longevity:

"Forgive your enemies, choose happiness and the path to reconciliation will unfold to you."

He spoke of forgiving the fear, ignorance and misunderstandings of others for he had learnt that forgiveness was a two-way street. By forgiving others not only does it free you from their power but it also gives the perpetrator the space and opportunity to learn and change.

Harry’s disposition created a struggle when deciding on a composition for my painting.

I kept thinking of the socio-political issues facing Aboriginal Australians today, the wrongfulness of their past dispossession, the ongoing repression and past degradation enshrined in Australian law, their current plight in terms of health, employment, education, incarceration, living conditions and self-esteem. Yet whilst all these issues revolved in my mind, I sat looking at a man who had endured the worst of them and yet was smiling back at me at the ripe old age of 100.

And in this moment, I learnt the true life-altering power of forgiveness.

 

Now, Harry was not suggesting we ignore the plight of Aboriginal Australians, or anyone suffering injustice. Rather he wanted to share how the power of forgiveness gives one clarity and poise, and with these newfound abilities we can become infinitely more powerful in fighting our battles.

During my time with Harry, I was surrounded by his loving children and grandchildren. His love for them was evident in the love they continued to show him. At 100 years old he spoke candidly of how he would like to pass on.

Harry told me he wanted to return to where he last saw his mother as a boy.

A few months after our meeting, and shortly after the painting was finished, Harry passed away.

Upon hearing this news, I added to the painting a young, carefree, and forgiving - boy on the hill.

Rest in peace my friend, Harry Bennett

 

 


Read more:

 

Sizing

Material Size Chart
Size Bamboo Fine Art (Paper) Museum Canvas Total Limited Edition Prints
Small
60x36cm
595 645 150
Medium
100x60cm
1245 1295 150
Large
130x78cm
By request only 2495 100

 

Due to framing costs, Large paper prints are available by request only. 

Guide: How to choose the right print.

Shipping & Delivery

All prints are carefully wrapped in acid free tissue and placed inside a suitable protective hard cardboard tube together with Michael's Certificate of Authenticity and a Care/Handling guide.

  • Free standard shipping anywhere in the world
  • Delivery time: between 2-14 days
  • Tracking ID will be sent to your email upon dispatch

Guide: How to choose the right print.