From a smiling Balinese macaque, to a colourful sunrise at Uluru: memories and life experiences fill the 2023 Vision Australia Calendar and diary.
The large print and braille calendars and diary are on sale now, featuring the artwork of fifteen artists who are blind or have low vision.
Adorning the cover and featured in the month of January, Canberra artist Bill Arthur says his 2021 trip to the Northern Territory captured his heart.
“I took a dawn tour of Uluru and as the sun’s rays first touched the eastern sides of the rock, I took some photos,” he said.
“I based my painting on those photos, and noticed the bright colours used by the indigenous artists of the area.”
Photo: William Arthur's colourful painting of Uluru at dawn, on the cover of the 2023 Vision Australia artwork calendar.
Born with bi-lateral optic atrophy of the optic nerve, Bill avoids painting with extremely fine details, which helps make a characteristic style.
“Sometimes you need to stand well back so the brush strokes come together.”
At seven years old, Henry Rademaker is the youngest artist featured in this year’s calendar.
Featuring in the month of June, Henry’s piece called ‘Blooms’ is inspired by the Vincent van Gogh masterpiece, Flowers.
Henry’s passion for art has been stoked by his nan as they often create pieces focused on nature, animals and portraits.
The competition judge and Vision Australia general manager for commercial services, Michael Linke, says the calendar is a wonderful platform to showcase the genuine talent of artists with low vision.
“The artists prove that being blind or having low vision doesn’t stop creativity,” he said.
Each winning entry receives a $300 gift card and their artwork featured in our printed calendar and diary.
Full list of featured artists:
Angela Lois Morrissey, 43 VIC
Betty Debonam, 88 TAS
Evie Stewart, 10 QLD
Helen Jones, 84 NSW
Henry Rademaker, 7 VIC
James Christie, 23 NSW
John Stemp, 82 NSW
Jolanta Skawinski, 63 ACT
Margaret Deacon, 83 NSW
Marjorie Peterkin, 72 WA
Sophie Weaver, 12 NSW
Teena Madelaine, 54 NSW
Virginia Pahuru, 29 NSW
William Arthur, 71 ACT
Yvonne Ransley, 82 QLD
The 2023 Vision Australia diary and calendars are available for purchase online now or in store at all Vision Australia shops.