History inspires photographs
An extraordinary tale set in Gippsland will be the subject of a photographic exhibition at Warragul Library.
Melbourne artist Tamara Bailey, who grew up in Sale, created the exhibition based on the real and imagined life of Margaret Clement titled “The Lady of the Swamp”.
Ms Bailey stumbled across book “Who Killed Margaret Clements?” by Richard Shears in a Briagolong antique shop and was instantly intrigued by the tale set near Tarwin Lower.
“That’s what started it. It was a cracking good read. It sparked a bit of an interest.”
“It would be such an interesting thing for people to know about,” she added. “I want to draw attention to the story; a piece of Gippsland history.”
She said Margaret Clements was a woman who exuded Edwardian elegance and refinery, a belle of Victorian society. She was filthy rich. Garden parties at the 17-room mansion in Tarwin Lower were talked about for years.
However, her tale ended in destitution and squalor as Margaret and her sister Jeannie’s farmland turned into a foreboding swamp.
In 1952, Margaret went missing. A large search was conducted but her body was never found. Did she simply vanish or was it murder?
Ms Bailey’s images depict a reoccurring theme of water, which had an all-consuming effect on the life of Margaret.
In a series of composite images, she creates dream-like scenes that depict the refined youthful beauty that Margaret once was. A figure floats in a beautiful satin nightgown holding expensive pearls, which contrasts against a flooded swampy background threatening to swallow up the innocent beauty.
In another, a figure in a black Victorian dress appears to be floating in the swamp. Or is she just standing idle, accepting her fate?
Still life images capture fine china chipped and worn, contrasting with gleaming silver, and a pair of Victorian era shoes caught in the swamp’s reeds.
She also uses the symbolism of chairs being broken and strong to represent Jeannie’s death in 1950 and Margaret’s strength to carry on.
The exhibition will be opened at Warragul Library on Saturday at 10am with Ms Bailey speaking and a morning tea provided by the CWA.