A hands-on art experience has been described as innovative and memorable by visitors with vision impairment. The event in Perth city was held to mark International White Cane Day.
Contemporary Artist Nigel Laxton (link opens in new window) is behind the ‘Aggregate Collection’ currently on display at the Kamile Gallery in Perth.
The artwork is highly textured because it features sand collected from beaches south of the river. Nigel gave a demonstration to clients with low vision to explain how his creations evolve.
He encouraged everyone to hold a strip of canvas and to feel their way along this strip. Nigel then outlined the different processes of applying sand and acrylic to create his art pieces.
Three different pieces of textured art were displayed on separate easels with clients exploring each one.
They were all seascapes. One featured the entrance to Botany Bay, the others were tall ships. There was intricate detail on each piece.
Creating texture with sand
The gallery sits within the main foyer to the Anglican Diocese of Perth. Art enthusiast Kamile Burinskaite met Nigel and knew that she wanted to create an exhibition featuring his work.
“This event has shown me how much this type of art means to people with low vision. To witness their reaction and to see them exploring and touching my artwork – it’s amazing.’’
Nigel is a strong believer that people should be able to explore art with their different senses.
“I have received great feedback from this experience. Some people were keen to buy the artwork used in this demonstration, but I’ll keep them as I hope to run similar events in the future.’
It’s an area she’s so passionate about she has enlisted the help of VisAbility – Accessible Information Team to create some Braille business cards. Braille Officer Leone Carroll was happy to offer her guidance to make her cards Braille tactile.
It was great because it was three dimensional. On the Botany Bay picture, I could feel the curves of the coast and differentiate it from the sea and the sky. With the squares on canvas, the thickness was different on each square.
Kylie
White Cane walk to Elizabeth Quay
After the hour long event, clients walked in convoy, with their white canes, to Elizabeth Quay to enjoy a discounted group lunch at The Island Restaurant.
Youth Support Officer Ryan Honschooten says it was a great way to mark International White Cane Day. The gallery event demonstrated that art can be easily accessible to everyone.
“With art, there’s a huge emphasis on just one sense – sight. Nigel’s creations have shown that you can still experience and enjoy art if you have no vision. Through touch you can get a richer understanding of what a piece of artwork may symbolise,’’ explains Ryan.
We have a range of Group Programs on offer at VisAbility, with workshops designed to to help you in your own home. These programs are a good way to connect with others and to meet like-mind people in similar circumstances.
This is so much better than having an audio description of a painting. I can feel the thickness of the rigging.
Les
How to get support
Please complete the form below to make an initial enquiry about the low vision services and support we can provide. Our Client Experience Team will contact you to discuss your individual needs both now and into the future.
If you are a provider and wish to refer a client, please use our low vision medical certificate (online referral form) to make your referral.