The exhibition of historic paintings by artist Gordon Syron and limited edition photographs by his wife and partner, Elaine Syron, celebrate the life of Coleen Shirley Perry Smith AM MBE, better known as Mum Shirl – Black Saint of Redfern.
It is now 21 years since Shirley Smith (Mum Shirl) died, and a fitting time to celebrate her extraordinary life.
Mum Shirl is remembered as a straight talker with an astute ability to read people and an unwavering sense of justice. To those in need she was a woman of boundless compassion, courage and optimism, who had time for everyone. This exhibition has been curated to celebrate and to remember Mum Shirl's memory and many achievements.
She is revered amongst Aboriginal people as the Black Saint of Redfern.
Mum Shirl was a towering presence in Redfern. Not only because of her huge and commanding personality, ‘queenly’ confidence and physical presence. It was her energy and urgency of purpose in the service of people in need and the victims of injustice that defined her.