Inner west seniors Art Group wins art competition
Thursday 22 June 2017
Seven members of Inner West Council’s seniors Art Group have won a state-wide art competition that aims to raise awareness of elder abuse.
The ‘TEA: Talking Elder Abuse’ Art Competition is held by the NSW Elder Abuse Helpline & Resource Unit on World Elder Abuse Awareness day (WEAAD) on 15 June each year.
The seniors Art Group, which meets fortnightly at Herb Greedy Hall in Marrickville, is funded by Council’s Active and Connected program.
The group is facilitated by Judy King, an art therapist and artist. Under her guidance, the group uses a range of media and receive individual advice and support.
The seven members, led by Joan Minns, are Anne Herring, Susan Watson, Barbara Achille, Vivid Huerta-Yep, Tom Keelty and Robyn Catchlove.
They worked collaboratively over five months to produce the art piece that involved painting with tea, sewing tea bags through the canvas, using collage, and sprinkling tea and paint.
They said they also went through many cups of tea during the process.
Judy King said the competition had the desired effect on the group, raising awareness and prompting discussion. “The subject of elder abuse inspired spirited discussion amongst the seniors Art Group over many weeks,” she said. The title of the group work is ‘Respect’
Anne Herring said the project was “great fun”, adding “I think it made the group work together, to see others’ point of view. To my surprise I had a discussion with my 26 year old grandson who had never thought of elderly abuse, [and] this set up a long conversation.”
"The seniors Art Group is truly one of the loveliest groups I have ever been a part of,” said Joan Minns. “From the joy of beautiful people, the art, and of late, the many productive discussions about elder abuse that evolved from our joint artwork.
“A very special thing and a big thank you to Council for making it happen - from myself especially!"
Judy King agreed that the Group is indeed very special. “The process of the art making, negotiating space around the large canvas whilst respecting everyone’s different strengths creatively is another example of the sense of community that this Group has shared over the past eight years,” she said.
www.elderabusehelpline.com.au