Artist’s memories of her grandparents echo through Crows Nest display

Published on 04 February 2026

Oil paintings inspired by Toni Bren-Clarke’s grandparents feature in her exhibition, Echoes, which is on display at the Crows Nest Gallery from February 4 to March 8, 2026.

The works draw on memories of the spaces and items that Toni associates with her grandparents.

The works celebrate the domestic moments of their busy retirement and engage with architecture and décor of their home to portray era-specific content, addressing a nostalgic childhood relationship with space and place.

The paintings capture unremarkable and routine components of everyday life, alluding to her grandparents’ presence, while suggesting they are no longer here.

The works present relationships between objects and everyday spaces that have become entwined with Toni’s memories and examine the backdrop her grandparents created for themselves alongside their generous and practical nature. 

“Echoes is a record of everyday life within my grandparents’ home and recognition of ordinary moments,” Toni said.

“By painting these spaces in the context of memory, they become beautiful versions of an ordinary, bygone reality that can no longer be questioned.”

The exhibition’s Meet the Artist event starts at 11am on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

For more information, please see: www.tr.qld.gov.au/crowsnestgallery

Enquiries about the exhibition can be directed to Crows Nest Gallery on (07) 4698 1687 or crowsnestart@tr.qld.gov.au

Crows Nest Gallery, at the corner of the New England Highway and William Street, is open from 10.30am to 3.30pm Wednesday to Sunday. It is closed on Monday, Tuesday and public holidays. Entry is free.

Image captions:

1. Toni BREN-CLARKE / Washing 2025 / oil on board / 61 x 61cm / © Toni Bren-Clarke
2. Toni BREN-CLARKE / Sitting 2025 / oil on board / 61 x 61cm / © Toni Bren-Clarke
3. 3. Toni BREN-CLARKE / Gossiping 2025 / oil on board / 51 x 41cm / © Toni Bren-Clarke
4. 4. Toni BREN-CLARKE / Salmon 2025 / oil on board / 25 x 25cm / © Toni Bren-Clarke (bottom)