Wall Shouts & Whispers this month

An upcoming exhibition at Creative Tauranga this month is offering a unique window into the souls and minds of artists living with intellectual disabilities.

Opening on April 29, Wall Shouts & Whispers is the latest exhibition of work from a dedicated and creative group of artists who currently attend Avalon Incorporated. It runs through till May 18.


Artist Hemi Samuels working on a sculpture which will be on display as part of the Wall Shouts & Whispers exhibition at Creative Tauranga later this month. Photo: Avalon Inc.

It follows on from the successful first exhibition Kit and Caboodle, which was also exhibited at Creative Tauranga back in 2013.

Avalon art facilitator and full-time artist Julie Saunders is impressed with the number of exhibitors and the quality of work in this year's exhibition.

'The Wall Shouts & Whispers exhibition will see double the number of artists involved from the first exhibition,” says Julie, 'and each piece is a reflection of the individual artist.

'The amazing thing about art is that it allows an opportunity to communicate a message, or create an outlet for an artist to express thoughts and emotions without discrimination.

'Art is a medium that offers a complete level playing field.”

First time exhibitor and artist Karleigh Jones, who is presenting two pieces, saysit's an awesome opportunity to display her art and 'show people what I can do”.

'It's a way to escape from my struggles and do something that really relaxes me,” explains Karleigh.

While artist Geoff Watson, who's work reflects his interest in horticulture, will be swapping photography for sculpture this time around for his piece ‘Wicker Wicked Woman'.

For Wall Shouts & Whispers, Geoff wanted to use different media for his piece to 'bring my work from the garden into the art world”.

He says entering his works into the exhibition was important because 'I would like to show people what I can do”.

'My creation means a lot to me because I have put something together from scratch, finding pieces and working out what to do with it.”

Based in Te Puna, Avalon is a vocational service that supports individuals with disability to live everyday lives in every day places. Art is a subject matter and interest shared by many of the individuals that Avalon support.

Business Manager Tania Wilson wishes to acknowledge and thank Creative Tauranga and the Creative Community NZ Fund for their support.

'[It] has afforded these amazing artists the opportunity to exhibit their own work, connect with community, and challenge some assumptions that the public may hold about individuals with intellectual disability,” says Tania.

Wall Shouts & Whispers will be on display at Creative Tauranga from April 29 to May 18.

Julie Saunders has also generously donated an original piece to be raffled in support of Avalon and tickets will be available at Creative Tauranga for the duration of the exhibition.

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.