"These paintings are a record of the conversation between this place and my survival here," says Liverpool Plains artist Dr Rowen Matthews.
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His evocative exhibition Land is Emotional captures the essence of the connection between a farmer and his land, pondering the phrase: 'land is an emotional subject for farmers'.
But not only an exploration of that often fraught relationship, his exhibition is the first to go digital as Tamworth Regional Gallery's inaugural online exhibition.
The thought of it sitting there in the dark without the lights on and no-one looking at it really saddened me ... The fact people can see it is fantastic.
- Dr Rowen Matthews
After the gallery was closed to the public in late March, just as this exhibition was being installed, staff worked closely with Dr Matthews to figure out the best way to deliver his exhibition.
Dr Matthews said the end result showcasing his oil painting was "beautiful".
"It was designed for people to walk in the space and for people to feel a sensory connection and the sensory nature of the land," he explained.
And as to how it translates virtually, he said "they've done a beautiful panorama installation."
"The thought of it sitting there in the dark without the lights on and no-one looking at it really saddened me ... The fact people can see it is fantastic."
Tamworth Regional Gallery and Museums Director Bridget Guthrie was incredibly excited to offer the first online exhibition.
"I couldn't be more proud of the team at the gallery who have worked tirelessly with Dr Matthews to deliver the digital exhibition and enable the public to access and engage with this work regardless of the circumstances," she enthused.
Making full use of the wonders of technology, a 360 degree panoramic view of the gallery space was taken. Then, Google Poly System was used to bring it all together to create the virtual tour.
"The technology allows you to tilt your phone around as though you're standing in the space - it's incredible," council's Makerspace and digital learning program coordinator Jonathan Stilts said.
Touted as a fully immersive digital experience, the online package includes an audio narration by Dr Matthews himself, discussing how he created his work - an experience which mimics the flow of a guided tour.
And perhaps, heralding a new wave of future displays.
"I think these experiences that we are having, the experience of having to invent new ways of looking at art, people have been scrambling in these times," he said.
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"We don't want to get into a situation where galleries have to close... we really want them to survive, and I think these inventions of viewing work will stay with us and they will become more common."
The exhibition is live now, and can be viewed here.
