IGNITE: Gallery is an initiative of Belconnen Arts Centre, an exhibition program in a variety of sites across Canberra, featuring work by artists identifying as disabled, deaf or Hard of Hearing (HOH). IGNITE programs aim to support and nurture the aspirations of the artists and to assist in broadening their experience, skills and networks. IGNITE gallery positions artists in public places and celebrates their practices as integral to the creative vibrancy of this region.
The current exhibit showcases Dennis Thorncraft and Ann Nugent's Energy:
These works by Dennis Thorncraft and Ann Nugent share an active and restless energy that is expressed through the artists bold mark making and striking use of strong colour. The works are abstract in nature and use an expressive art making approach to evoke an emotional response or mood.
The artists are current members of Tingey Painting with Parkinsons a program. Practices promoted through the program provide symptomatic relief from the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease as well as providing social support and connection. Painting sessions begin with a period of meditation and then participants are invited to listen to music and respond intuitively using quality watercolours, crayons and inks on paper. Rather than using deliberate and controlled movements, which are compromised by Parkinson’s, participants respond without thinking to the music, a process through which the unconscious mind can express itself. The vibrant energy conveyed by the resulting works contradicts the feelings of frustration and loss that accompany Parkinson’s Disease.
Time: 9am - 5pm