The Hayjackers is a work by Tasmanian artist Michael McWilliams in the Parliament House Art Collections.

McWilliams paintings are inspired by Tasmania’s landscape and wildlife. His distinctive and accessible style combines environmental commentary with elements of whimsy, often featuring both native and introduced animals—such as sheep, cows, fish, birds, and the extinct thylacine (Tasmanian tiger), which he uses as a symbol of environmental loss.¹

If you look carefully, you can spot a Tasmanian tiger peeking above one of the sheep.

In his work, McWilliams explores the impact of forestry, fishing, and farming on Tasmania’s environment. These themes are portrayed with subtlety and emotional depth, encouraging reflection without overt confrontation. In The Hayjackers, the sheep atop haystacks can be interpreted as a commentary on the environmental effects of agriculture, while also incorporating McWilliams’ characteristic humour and visual playfulness.

Reflecting on his practice, McWilliams says,

The Tasmanian landscape and its native and introduced fauna and flora are major themes in my work. It’s sometimes fun, but frequently with an environmental message, or an animal rights and welfare consideration. The message can often be distressing, but the image is tempered with humour, which allows the idea to be pondered by a wider audience.²

Michael McWilliams  
Michael McWilliams (born 1956) is a Tasmania-based visual artist. He completed a Diploma of Education in 1977 and Bachelor of Visual Arts in 1978 at the University of Tasmania. McWilliams was awarded the inaugural Glover Prize in 2004 and from 2004-2016 has been a finalist in the prestigious prize on 12 occasions. He was the winner of the Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize in 2005 and 2008 and has been a finalist in both the Wynne Prize in 2008 and the Archibald Prize in 2016. In 2024, the first survey exhibition of McWilliams’ practice was held at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Tasmania. His work is held in collections of the Powerhouse Museum, Museum of South Australia, National Trust of Australia and Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery.

References
1. YouTube, “Collectors are sleeping in front of galleries for a chance to buy his art | Landline | ABC”, accessed September 11, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dRTMQhSgd4
2. Handmark, “Michael McWilliams painter”, accessed September 11, 2025. https://handmark.com.au/artist/michael-mcwilliams/