bing bang Ring. cash is king!
Did you visit this exhibition? If so, please complete our survey here. This survey will help us improve on our next Museum Activation project!
Throughout 2024, Dungog-based artist Helene Leane thoughtfully crafted a unique body of work for the This Here Then Now project, a museum activation initiative funded by the Regional Arts Fund. This project, created by Arts Upper Hunter in collaboration with the Dungog Museum, Scone Museum, and Tocal Homestead, invites artists to explore museum collections, selecting stories, places, or objects as inspiration for new works.
For her exhibition titled, Bing Bang Ring, Cash is King!, Helene chose a beautifully ornate National Cash Register—a relic from the days when pounds, shillings, and pence were Australia’s currency. Originally a centrepiece in Skillen’s grocery shop, this register served the Dungog community until Australia’s transition to decimal currency in 1966. The shop, once located where Dungog Medical Surgery now stands, is brought to life again through this exquisite artifact.
Through the lens of this cash register, Helene has delved into themes of currency, consumerism, and their lasting impact on Australian society, with a particular focus on the Dungog community. Her creative journey involved gathering historical photos of shopfronts, workers, and the goods they sold, offering insight into Dungog’s retail past and our evolving consumerist history.
The Staff of Dark’s Store, Dungog in 1962, from left to right:
Charlie Robinson, Stan Hicks, Ray Higgins, Brian Muddle, Terry Muddle, Don Redman, Brian Wade, Maurice Nelson, Ron Leslie, Bob Hampton, George Dark, John Huxley, Neville Moroney, Beth Burton, Nance Sutton, Cecil Walker, Clare Cook, Anne Neilson, Lorraine Muddle, Lorraine Moore, and Claire Quinn.
Image edited by Helene Leane, photo courtesy of Gary Simmons, Source: Dale Smith
Visit Dungog Museum to view the exhibition and discover Helene’s insights and creative reflections on this interesting piece of history.
Please note this exhibition will be closed from 23rd December till 31st January 2025.
After the 31st January the exhibition can be viewed during opening hours Wednesday 10am – 12.30pm and Saturday 10am – 2pm.
Or contact the Museum to arrange an appointment.
Dungog Museum: (02) 4992 2094
Arts Upper Hunter: 0409 382 509
The This Here Then Now project was conceived by Arts Upper Hunter and developed in partnership with local museums.
In 2024 three Upper Hunter regional museums were selected to work with resident artists; Sophie Cox at Scone Museum, Helene Leane at Dungog Museum and Todd Fuller at Tocal Homestead. This was made possible by the Australian Government Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia, the NSW Government and C B Alexander Foundation.
Arts Upper Hunter plans to expand the THTN project to other museums in coming years.
Did you visit this exhibition? If so, please complete our survey here. This survey will help us improve on our next Museum Activation project!
This Here Then Now could not happen without the support of the Regional Arts Fund; “The Regional Arts Fund is an Australian Government initiative supporting the arts in regional, remote and very remote / isolated Australia.”
