Finding a voice through their art
A body of artwork from Creative Journeys is so big it’s taking over the Square Edge Community Arts Centre in a sweep of colour.
Creative Journeys is a Palmerston North facility that provides art-based day programmes for people affected by an intellectual disability, people coping with mentally challenging conditions and often those facing personal changes after accidents.
‘This is me’is their annual exhibition, and manager Lawrence Chok said they were proud of showing their work to the public.
‘‘A lot of people are unaccepting of people with disabilities, so this opens things up and connects them to the community. It shows people what they are capable of, not just what they think they are capable of.’’
Ian Dunnachie is a regular participant at Creative Journeys and two of his artworks will be on display.
‘‘I like doing the art here, it’s good for us and we feel proud of it,’’ he said.
Ben Davey too, said seeing his art in an exhibition would be special. He loves buildings, so a tour through the new FMG building still under construction was his inspiration for his piece.
‘‘I like construction and building and the effort that goes into making something like that.’’
Kate Wilson-bryant has been teaching art to the group for the past five months, showing them ‘‘lots of different mediums and techniques’’.
‘‘They are so inspiring. I’m just here to follow them, really – they lead me. They are amazing, they amaze me all the time. No matter what their difficulties are in life, they still love what they do and are so assertive with what they want.’’
Facilitator Beanie Christison said the group had surprised themselves with what they created. ‘‘This gives them something which is theirs, it is something special. They don’t get that a lot. They are so used to being shunned or being stopped or being spoken over. This gives them a chance to speak.’’
‘‘This is me’’opens tonight and runs to August 8.