Artistic ability set to go on display

A year-long mentoring program has culminated in an exhibition featuring new and contemporary art from 11 West Australian artists with disability, including two from Fitzroy Crossing.

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the project was an example of the Department of Culture and the Arts’ support for people with disability.

Mr Day said the DCA provided more than $118,000 to Disability in the Arts, Disadvantage in the Arts WA in 2013 to encourage people with disability to engage in arts activity.

He said the exhibition, called HERE&NOW13, enabled 11 contemporary artists to develop their artistic talents and show their work to the community.

“Emerging curator Katherine Wilkinson worked one-on-one with the artists in a mentoring program tailored to their individual needs,” Mr Day said.

“This program creates a greater understanding and appreciation of the work of artists with disability, providing them with an opportunity to contribute to the cultural fabric of the State.”

The exhibition features the work of Fitzroy Crossing artists Aquinas Crowe and Lisa Uhl. Filmmaker Aquinas is nationally recognised for his films that reflect family, notions of home and the Australian culture.

Something Australia won the 2010 AFI/Australia Day Council of NSW’s short film competition. His most recent film, Tlilijan Wangkatjungka Crows, was released in 2011.

Ms Uhl works predominantly in painting, however she has developed a sculptural piece for inclusion in the exhibition.

Disability Services Minister Helen Morton said the exhibition was also supported by the State Government’s Count Me In program.

HERE&NOW13 will be shown at the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery at The University of Western Australia until September 28, 2013. Entry is free.