The Access Artybald Prize exhibition is now on show at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre.
The Access Artybald Prize is a portrait competition created in conjunction with the Art Gallery of New South Wales’s Archibald Prize, that recognises the work of artists with diverse abilities who live, work, or study in greater Western Sydney.
The exhibition opened in May at Ability Options’ Front Up Studios in Seven Hills, and toured to Wollongong Arts Centre before coming to The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre, where it will be on show until 8 October.
Ability Options’ Front Up is a Western Sydney-based Arts and Cultural program, providing a vibrant and accessible studio space, workshops, and professional development opportunities for artists with a disability, including those experiencing a mental health condition.
Coinciding with the exhibition is the display on the windows of the nearby Max Webber Library of 4 large public art works, commissioned from artists featured in The Access Artybald Prize exhibition, titled Artybald in the City.
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said he was delighted to celebrate artists of diverse talents in Blacktown City.
“Blacktown City Council, through Blacktown Arts, is proud to support The Access Artybald Prize and celebrate the talents, skills and abilities of artists with disability,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
“Art is a wonderful form of self-expression for people who may live with disability or mental illness, and this exhibition and the temporary artworks are fabulous acknowledgements of their talents.
“I encourage everyone to come along to The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre and see the amazing works these talented artists have created.”
The Artybald Access Prize exhibition comprises thirty-four artworks, including works by:
Taylor Devlin (Winner)
Miah Tito-Barratt (Highly Commended)
Tim Martin (Highly Commended)
Brendan Abarca (Commended)
Chris Whiticker (Commended)
Digby Webster (Commended)
Ebony Wightman (Commended)
Harry J Dogra (Commended)
Linda Ogonowski (Commended)
Works by Brendan Abarca, Ebony Wightman, Renae Curran, and Renée Allara will adorn the windows of the Max Webber Library until Sunday, 4 December 2022.
With an emphasis on local artistic practices and on equitable access and inclusion, Artybald in the City also reflects Blacktown Arts’ commitment to community engagement and connection through creative practice.
Both the exhibition at the Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre and the 4 public art commissions have been facilitated by Blacktown Arts in collaboration with Ability Options’ Front Up Studios.
Photo: The Artybald Access Prize exhibition features works such as ‘What is behind the Mask?’ by Renae Curran.
