A unique art exhibition in Gosford is set to bring together the region’s sighted and blind and low vision communities.
Organised by Vision Australia and Gosford Regional Gallery, the Through My Eyes exhibition will feature works of art from artists who are blind or have low vision, as well as those who are fully sighted.
Running through the month of October, the exhibition will feature works that focus on the theme of the “journey of life”.
Jordan Ashby, Vision Australia Central Coast and Hunter coordinator of volunteers and community relations, said the exhibition is a chance for the wider community to learn about living with blindness or low vision.
“There can be a perception that art is an activity that’s only visual, but the reality is there are many people who are blind or have low vision who both appreciate and produce amazing art,” Jordan said.
“For the sighted community it’s a really great opportunity for them to learn about the different techniques people who are blind or have low vision use to create art and also the methods they use to appreciate it,” he said.
As well as showcasing how people who are blind or have low vision engage in the art world, the exhibition is also a chance for those artists to give others a wider perspective of life with vision loss.
“Whether it’s people not understanding what people who are blind or have low vision are capable of or not appreciating the barriers they face in day-to-day life, we find generally there’s a lot people don’t understand about what it means to live with blindness or low vision,” Jordan said.
“The artists who are blind or have low vision will be able to reflect on that in their works and hopefully people go away with a better understanding, or at least start thinking more about what it means to live with blindness, low vision or any other disability.”
Sighted artists wishing to be included in the exhibitions are encouraged to produce works that are tactile, which organisers believe will also promote greater understanding.
“Producing works that have a tactile element means people will have a greater opportunity to interact with the works and also help our sighted artists understand the importance touch plays for people who are blind or have low vision.”
The Through My Eyes exhibition runs from October 1-31 at the Erina Art Space. For more information, email [email protected]