See you at the river

Solo exhibition at No Vacancy Gallery, Naarm / Melbourne
September 2024

‘The river’, acrylic on canvas, 112 X 91cm


Ruby Bovill’s work uses painting as a tool to explore her connection to nature and self. The title ‘See you at the river’ is in reference to Ruby’s grandmother Bev who recently passed away. This collection of paintings celebrates the gift Ruby’s grandmother gave her – connection to nature. This body of work celebrates the all-encompassing joy embodied when immersed in nature. Connecting to land is something Bev instilled in Ruby throughout her childhood – particularly along the banks of the Murray River on Yorta Yorta Country. This exhibition reflects Ruby’s gratefulness amongst her journey of grief – a final thanks to Bev.

Ruby acknowledges that she created these artworks on stolen Aboriginal land. She acknowledges the traditional and true owners of the land she lives and works on, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation and acknowledges that sovereignty was never ceded. Ruby pays respect to Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung ancestors, elders, and future leaders in the community today. Ruby would also like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land her work is inspired by across the colony of so called ‘Australia’. Whilst Ruby feels a connection to nature and explores this in relation to her personal journey – Ruby would like to acknowledge that the connection to Country for First Nations communities exceeds her own and is of far greater cultural significance. As a white settler this dichotomy has been a challenge for Ruby to overcome. Through a journey of self-acceptance and personal growth via Art Therapy frameworks - Ruby has been able to accept her own connection to nature alongside acknowledging First Nations communities’ connection to Country as two very different experiences existing simultaneously. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.

‘Through the web’, acrylic on canvas, 112 X 91cm

‘The other side of the river’, acrylic on canvas, 112 X 91cm

‘Let’s rest here’, acrylic on canvas, 112 X 91cm

‘Jungle trail’, acrylic on canvas, 112 X 91cm





‘Creek shrub’, acrylic on canvas, 112 X 91cm

‘One more time’, acrylic on canvas, 112 X 91cm

‘Our place’, acrylic on canvas, 122 x 153cm





‘In the grasses‘ acrylic on canvas, 61 x 92cm

‘The reeds’ acrylic on canvas, 61 x 92cm

‘In between’ acrylic on canvas, 61 x 92cm