Hello @Jynx I have had appointment with my lovely Occupational therapist. I introduced her to Alex Gray, & she agreed their is similar message. She said he was a mix of science and art, I thought was interesting. She said my picture was hope, faith & love. I am happy to know this. She agrees it is lovely compliment for me to accept from you.
If you are truly interested, here are some more that I have completed in this last 6 months or so. Please enjoy!
I am having a nervous day today. I feel like lots is on plate. Thanks for supporting me.
So glad you found this thread @StanD!
Thank you so much for sharing these pieces, I absolutely love your use of colour! I think these 2 are my personal favourites. The first one really reminds me of stained glass windows, or even a kaleidoscope - and the second just feels so joyful to me with the bright colours and the flowers
Hi everyone!
Welcome back to our exploration of The Dax Centre art collection!
For our third prompt from the CHIME framework, we will be reflecting on Identity.
When thinking about identity, we can ask:
What helps you feel good about yourself?
For example...
- I am grateful for what I have and what I can do.
- I can keep myself safe.
- I can exercise.
- I can see and listen to friends.
- I love playing music.
- I love being creative.
- I have time to do things I enjoy.
A part of identity is the way we express ourselves. This may be through a creative activity, or cooking a meal for loved ones, gardening, journalling, in the outfits we wear, joining in on community projects, or in sharing stories with friends.
This Weeks Artwork: Textile artworks by Edith Agnes Harrington
The artist we are exploring this week, Edith Agnes Harrington, used her creativity to express her identity through her clothing. Harrington, who had lived experience of mental illness, created these artworks in the 1950s-60s.
Edith Agnes Harrington’s Story
Edith Agnes Harrington was a patient at Mayday Hills Asylum located in Beechworth, which was opened in 1867 and closed in 1995.
The government-issued clothes given to patients at the asylum were drab and low quality. Large supplies of clothing were bought for patients at cheap prices, and the result was bland uniformity in the wards.
One result from this uniformity is that the patient’s agency to choose what to wear was removed, limiting or suppressing a powerful avenue for self-expression and means for communication of identity.
In the 1950’s it was not uncommon for women to be placed in asylums due to a broad lack of understanding about women’s health and their needs combined with rigid, restrictive social, relational and societal expectations for how women should behave, what they should want and prior misogynistic theories such as “Female Hysteria.”
In what could be viewed as a bold reclamation of agency, a reassertion of identity and desire for self-expression, Edith created several intricately embroidered, colorful garments which staff reported she had a strong attachment to and would continue to embroider even whilst wearing the pieces.
Sources from The Dax Centre archives reveal Harrington’s love for gardens and flowers, detailing that she would spend hours a day sitting in the Mayday Hills Asylum Garden, while embroidering and looking at the plants.
Harrington’s garments are currently on display as a part of the She Who Persists exhibition at The Dax Centre. Learn more about the exhibition, Edith Agnes Harrington story, and other Cunningham Dax Collection artworks in the exhibition catalogue here.
Check out this video of her artworks to see more detail: https://youtu.be/S46pgsOKe4o
Activity:
For each artwork we share, we will provide three creative prompts. You can choose to engage in whichever way you prefer! Remember to follow Community Guidelines.
1) What do you identify?
Share your thoughts and reflections in the comments about Edith Agnes Harrington’s artwork and her artist story. Can you identify the influence her love of flowers had on her creations?
Also, reflect on your own sense of identity. Think about things that make you feel good about yourself, or ways you express yourself in your everyday life. Share in the comments below!
2) Express yourself!
Post a photo of the way you’re expressing and celebrating your identity this week. This might be a photo of the instrument you play, flowers you’ve arranged, a doodle you’ve drawn, or your favorite pair of shoes. It’s up to you!
Please remember to follow community guidelines for anonymity.
3) Delve into you Identity - Inspired by Edith!
For the final prompt, we have provided a template of a coat inspired by Edith Agnes Harringtons Pink Twill Coat.
Please find an online pdf of the template here
Fill in this shape with creative expressions of things that help you feel good about yourself or ways you express yourself – you can create this digitally (E.g. on Canva) or print out/draw the template.
You might want to experiment with collage, drawing, painting, writing – it's up to you! This might be expressed in colour, shapes, objects, words – whatever inspires you!
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.