Erica Wagner: The Colt from Old Regret
16 Apr 2025 – 27 Apr 2025
Location: Cato Gallery
You may have heard the story of the man from Snowy River and his fearless ride through the mountains. This is Colt’s story, of nickering mares and a rearing stallion. How did Colt escape the man? What did Colt see, feel, smell as he charged through the bush?
Beloved children’s author Dianne Wolfer responds to The Man from Snowy River, creating an essential companion to the original poem. It is illustrated with exquisite collages by Erica Wagner, which convey depth of emotion with great tenderness. They encapsulate the mood of Wolfer’s text, transporting the reader into the depths of the Snowy Mountains.
Endmatter includes the full text of Paterson’s poem, along with additional information on Paterson himself, brumbies and the Snowy Mountains, and bush poetry.
Lauren Smith, Assistant Director, NLA Publications, National Library of Australia describes Wolfer’s writing in The Colt from Old Regret as ‘a beautiful, poetic response to “The Man from Snowy River” from the perspective of the colt that gets away. Dianne has honoured this Australian classic and built on it, which is mirrored in Erica’s paint and collage illustrations—both “remixes” in a kind of way, but ones that open up our history, our high country and our hearts.’
Acknowledgment of traditional owners.
We would like to pay our respects to the traditional owners of the land on which our building stands, their leaders, past, present and emerging.