The 2014 exhibition will showcase the opportunities ACSO clients have had to branch out via recognising and harnessing their diversity, strength and creativity. The theme ‘Branching Out’ seeks to convey the individual pathways of each client’s recovery journey. This includes self-portraits exploring the identity and belonging of their clients as an essential branch to the ACSO community. Prints and other media offer a more abstract approach to illustrating the pathway to recovery and simultaneously highlight the skills and resourcefulness of the clients through this journey.
“Branching Out will tell a story of gaining and retaining hope, understanding one’s abilities and disabilities, personal autonomy, social identity, and meaning and purpose in life. It aims to inform and provoke the public through the eyes of its artists,” says Melinda Wills, Curator and Artist in Residence.
Art is one of the therapeutic means used by ACSO to encourage their clients to express emotions, perceptions, feelings and thoughts. The Art Therapy Program acts as a stepping-stone into other community arts programs. Twenty or so artists from their community based residential services are benefiting from this program, enabling these clients to find a new form of self-expression, tapping into their emotions and uplifting their spirit through colour, line and texture. For many of the clients this is their first experience at creating a piece of art, and for some has been a valuable tool to communicate their inner thoughts.
The Yarra Gallery
25 June to 2 July, 2014
Federation Square, Melbourne
