The Huon Valley is home to an abundance of artistic talent, and this year’s Huon Art Exhibition Group (HAEG) Art Awards have once again highlighted the creativity, depth, and storytelling power of our local artists.
Huon Valley Council is proud to have supported the 2025 HAEG Awards by sponsoring the Acquisitive Art Award, which enables a winning piece to become part of Council’s permanent collection. This year’s recipient is Kerry Thompson, whose evocative painting “Traffic” was selected by Council staff on behalf of Mayor Sally Doyle.
A Story Hidden in the Landscape
Kerry’s piece, “Traffic”, tells a quiet, powerful story drawn from her own experience. While driving through the landscape near her home in southern Tasmania, she observed a Tasmanian native hen mourning its chick, lost to passing vehicles. The moment was deeply moving, and the resulting artwork captures both the beauty of the Tasmanian environment and the small, often unseen tragedies that occur within it.
In Kerry’s own words:
“I’ve called this painting ‘Traffic’ because native hens are traffic, as am I, and we are all vulnerable to it. The painting is about our beautiful landscape and the small tragedies constantly playing out, hidden throughout its folds.”
A Life of Storytelling
Many in the community may recognise Kerry under her pen name Kerry Millard, known for her work as a veterinarian-turned-cartoonist, illustrator, author, and now painter. Her artistic journey has been guided by a deep affection for the natural world and the way stories can be told through colour, line, and movement. Each of her works reflects a heartfelt connection to place and an appreciation for the emotional layers held within our surroundings.
Sharing the Work with the Community
Mayor Sally Doyle has requested that “Traffic” be shared with the wider community in public spaces throughout the Huon Valley. Over the next twelve months, the painting will travel between four key locations, spending three months at each venue:
- April – June 2025: Huon Valley Council Front Foyer, 40 Main Street, Huonville
- July – September 2025: The Hub, Main Street Huonville
- October – December 2025: Geeveston Town Hall
- January – March 2026: Dover Medical Centre Reception (with the potential to remain permanently on display)
Each venue will feature a summary of the artwork and Kerry’s story alongside the piece, offering insight into the inspiration behind “Traffic” and Kerry’s creative path.
Supporting Arts and Culture in the Huon Valley
Council remains committed to supporting local artists and celebrating the role of arts and culture in connecting our communities. The HAEG Awards are a wonderful example of this – providing a platform for artists to be seen, celebrated, and shared.
We extend our warm congratulations to Kerry Thompson and invite all residents and visitors to view “Traffic” in person and experience the story it tells.