Coming up in the Community Gallery at The G.R.A.I.N. Store is Making the Invisible Visible: an exhibition about vision care and eye health. This exhibition explores the idea of looking, seeing and discovering what may not be immediately obvious. Artists have been invited to interpret this theme in any way they wish and the work will include a range of mediums in 2D, 3D and digital formats.
“It was good to look through the demonstration glasses and see what a visually impaired person would see. I have a family member with vision impairment and this was an instructive experience for me to see how she views the world”Kerry Handwerk, visual artist.
The exhibition and other activities as part of the broader project are proudly co-presented and financially supported by the Vision Initiative, which aims to prevent avoidable blindness and reduce the impact of vision loss for communities across Victoria.The organisation has been working in the Moira Shire through 2018 and 2019 seeking to raise awareness of early intervention and eye sight loss prevention. In a first for Vision Initiative they are working with The G.R.A.I.N. Store to explore artistic approaches to the eye health story with adults aged 40+ as their particular target group: not just to receive the message but to act on that message: have you had your eyes tested recently? A number of vision aides are currently on display in our Community Gallery and have provided inspiration for some artists already. These will also accompany the exhibition.
“Working and collaborating with health professionals is something I am already familiar with in my work as an artist, but it continues to inspire me to think and develop my ideas differently. Creating my work for this exhibition has been such an exciting opportunity to investigate how art can communicate the message about how precious our ability to see is.”Kristen Retallick, visual artist and Gallery Manager at the G.R.A.I.N. Store.
This partnership has been running alongside our recent artist in residence program, Marking the Nature of Things, with artists Liz Walker and Avis Gardner. The residency incorporated community workshops with participants aged 2 – 92 years and the collaborative “3D map” that was created in this time is currently on display in the front gallery and will be complimented by Making the Invisible Visible in the Community Gallery, making a visit to The GRAIN Store during this time very worthwhile!
In addition to the artists in residence, a weaving workshop has also been part of this project, expanding the opportunities for locals to learn new skills (or hone old ones) and be inspired to create. The workshop was run by Dr. Treahna Hamm, a Yorta Yorta woman and internationally renowned artist who has a deep knowledge of locally available grasses and fibres for weaving and dyeing. Treahna worked with participants on their own projects as well as guided complete beginners on how to weave using found wire and incorporating other materials into the work. Some of the pieces created will be included in the exhibition.
Opening events for Making the Invisible Visible will take place on Thursday 16th May. These will include an informative, interactive and fun presentation on eye health and the importance of looking after your visionwith Nicolette from the Vision Initiative 10.30 -11.30am (including morning tea) and the official exhibition opening at 2pm will feature some of the artists talking about their pieces. We’d love to see you there!
EXHIBITION RUNS: 16th May – 30th May
OPENING EVENTS: Thursday 16th May
10:30am – 11:30am: Info session and morning tea with Vision Initiative staff. RSVP to Kristen: 0410 952 647 or online for catering purposes https://www.trybooking.com/BCMQH
2pm – 4pm: Official Opening featuring some of the artists speaking about their work.
Further info re media release please contact:
Kristen Retallick, Gallery Manager
0410 952 647
info@thegrainstore.org
THE G.R.A.I.N. STORE
24 Blake Street, Nathalia
www.thegrainstore.org