Transport accident trauma expressed through art

11 Nov 2009

MEDIA RELEASE: 11 Nov 2009

An exhibition of inspiring work by people who have experienced road trauma is open in Geelong and Melbourne in November.

The Transport Accident Commission is holding the exhibition Picture This, giving clients

the opportunity to share their experiences of road trauma through art.

The exhibition is for people who were artists before their accident, have taken up art since or have included art therapy in their rehabilitation.

This is the first time the TAC has held an art exhibition for clients, with about 20 artists expected to showcase their work.

Picture This will include a range of works completed by the artists since their transport accident.

Several of the artists have significant injuries from road trauma, including quadriplegia and acquired brain injuries (ABI).

Hilary Ash has discovered art since a car accident in 1986 that left her with quadriplegia.

“I have the use of my arms but no fine finger movement, so I have explored new ways of creating art since my accident,” Ms Ash said.

“I have explored a few artistic pathways including ceramics, painting and even a radio play.

“One of my clay sculptures, the Pose of a Child, allowed me to reconnect in a tactile way with the part of myself which remembered yoga and the calm of different yoga poses.

“The piece relates to my weekly visit to the physiotherapist, who teaches me to reconnect with my paralysed parts and remember their capacity,” Ms Ash said.

Artists have a chance to win the People's Choice Award as voted by exhibition visitors. The prizes are Art Supply vouchers worth $500, $250 or $100.

Picture This
November 11 to 17
TAC building, Level 2,
60 Brougham St
Geelong

November 20 to 29
15 William Street Melbourne

Picture This is open from 10am to 4pm daily.

Interviews and photographs of the artists are available.

For further information please contact: Emily Bogue 5225 6450, 0429 416 778.