A new exciting art project from artists in Work Options has opened at the Axis Art Centre in Ballymun, and will run until the 6th of March.
The exhibition, titled POV, combines written word with audio narration and is a culmination of 18 months creative work by Work Options participants Christopher, Jenny, Susan, David, James, Phillip, and Sean.
The project was developed and facilitated by artist David O'Neill, who has a background in special education, and came up with the approach after identifying what he saw as a gap in how art by people with disabilities is often positioned.
"From the start, this wasn't about [only focusing on] disability art or working with any particular communities for the sake of it," O'Neill said. "It was kind of giving or assisting the community to have the tools, to be artists, to make arts, that would be equally valid in an exhibition space, as much as any other work that you would see around."
The project uses environmental sounds and instrumentation alongside written text to create what O'Neill describes as a hybrid form of storytelling. The work explores themes of identity, memory, and self through this fusion of literature and audio technology.
Lorna Grendon, Person in Charge (PIC) at Work Options, said the different approach allowed space for each person to explore a more in-depth expression of their day to day experiences.
"The work is very unique and heartfelt - it has made it possible for each person to use their creative side and show their inner and outer world. David really took the time to get to know each person and what they wanted to say, which really comes through in the piece,” she said.
The initiative was funded through CREATE Ireland and supported by Axis Ballymun, and is now open to the public for viewing.
All the audio narrative pieces can be found on SoundCloud here.
For photos of the exhibition and the opening day please click here.
All the artist pieces are:
- ‘Independence’: Jenny Whelan
- ‘My Picture in a Frame’: Christopher Sullivan
- ‘Blind Date’: Susan Phillips
- ‘Just in Time’: Sean Savage
- ‘Holiday Time’: David Burdock
- ‘The Football Community’: Philip Macken
- ‘Bird in a Cage’: James Harte