"Pictures of You" – Empowering and representing people with disabilities through art
Generator Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre
2 December 2022 – 5 February 2023
Have you ever tried to explain what it is to be YOU? Either to a friend, a partner, your family, a professional – even to yourself?
No matter how articulate we are words can often fail us, yet an image: a single depiction of mood, Self – both inside and out – setting and style, can say so much more. Imagine having an image that is YOU, that sums up who and what you are, a source of pride or honestry and says…”this is me”.
That said, as with words, many of us lack the basic ground level skills not just to produce such an image, but to look at ourselves with a sense of perspective, to honestly interpret ourselves.
But imagine having access to an empathic photographic artist, professionally trained in interpreting and gaining insight into a subject; whom you can work with as an equal partner, a mutually beneficial relationship, to express oneself outside of the formal care setting – giving and gaining insight in the process of creating your image in a safe environment – either face to face or online.
That is the vision of the “Pictures of You” initiative.
Canberry Communications worked in collaboration with photographer Hilary Wardhaugh and the Belco Arts Centre, supported by ACT Government on an innovative new exhibition, “Pictures of You”. This explored a unique approach to portrayals of people with lived experience of physical disabled and mental health disabilities collaborating as equals with Hilary to produce a portrait honestly reflecting the whole person and not just the ‘consumer’ – a process that has had surprising and inspirational results – both for the subject and the artist.
"Melissa, [pictured above] is one of the sitters and challenges the face of disability and homelessness. You wouldn’t know it looking at her but she suffers from debilitating chronic pain following a car accident in 2015. Her injuries resulted in job loss and needing to couch-surf to get by. She hopes by sharing her raw story in the upcoming exhibition that she can help others by shedding some light on the challenges and discrimination she faces daily with an invisible disability" (Hilary Wardhaugh, photographer)
2 December 2022 – 5 February 2023
Have you ever tried to explain what it is to be YOU? Either to a friend, a partner, your family, a professional – even to yourself?
No matter how articulate we are words can often fail us, yet an image: a single depiction of mood, Self – both inside and out – setting and style, can say so much more. Imagine having an image that is YOU, that sums up who and what you are, a source of pride or honestry and says…”this is me”.
That said, as with words, many of us lack the basic ground level skills not just to produce such an image, but to look at ourselves with a sense of perspective, to honestly interpret ourselves.
But imagine having access to an empathic photographic artist, professionally trained in interpreting and gaining insight into a subject; whom you can work with as an equal partner, a mutually beneficial relationship, to express oneself outside of the formal care setting – giving and gaining insight in the process of creating your image in a safe environment – either face to face or online.
That is the vision of the “Pictures of You” initiative.
Canberry Communications worked in collaboration with photographer Hilary Wardhaugh and the Belco Arts Centre, supported by ACT Government on an innovative new exhibition, “Pictures of You”. This explored a unique approach to portrayals of people with lived experience of physical disabled and mental health disabilities collaborating as equals with Hilary to produce a portrait honestly reflecting the whole person and not just the ‘consumer’ – a process that has had surprising and inspirational results – both for the subject and the artist.
"Melissa, [pictured above] is one of the sitters and challenges the face of disability and homelessness. You wouldn’t know it looking at her but she suffers from debilitating chronic pain following a car accident in 2015. Her injuries resulted in job loss and needing to couch-surf to get by. She hopes by sharing her raw story in the upcoming exhibition that she can help others by shedding some light on the challenges and discrimination she faces daily with an invisible disability" (Hilary Wardhaugh, photographer)
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