Inspired by Art: Clare Delaney

Clare Delaney

Local artist Clare Delaney has facilitated the Inspired by Art class since 2014. With a background in nursing, she brings together her arts and health practice in this inclusive class that is open to art-lovers living with disability and other creative locals. The class has become a community united by art and expression that encourage each other to discover their artistic abilities.

Visit the Cultural Centre website to view the Inspired by Art online exhibition featuring life size portraits and large scale collaborative paintings.

Installation view We don’t need a map: a Martu experience of the Western Desert, Blue Mountains City Art Gallery.

Clare talks to Public Programs Coordinator, Brittany D’Chong.

BD: How did the class form and what was the motivation for the program? CD: In 2014 I was asked to facilitate the Inspired by Art group at the Cultural Centre by Greystanes Disability Services in Leura. Greystanes advocates for people to be active members of the wider community. Susan Hatswell, Day Options Program Manager at Greystanes, wanted to create an inclusive art group that occupied a public community space. Now in its sixth year the group has grown to become that inclusive class where people, independent of ability, can come together, be inspired by the exhibitions held at the Cultural Centre, and create their own artwork. By bringing together a diverse group of people we have become a real community success and has shown that all people can be artists.

BD: What are some of the ways collaboration and expression are fostered in the class? CD: I try to teach in a responsive and flexible way that’s open to suggestions from the class. I often have an idea for a class but am ready and open to go a completely different direction. I find these moments exhilarating, when a student instigates a change in direction.

We often explore collaboration and expression by making on a large scale. Working together on one piece of work can be challenging, especially when there is the possibility of your work being covered up by another, but the group has always been respectful of each other.

One of the ways we have achieved this is to maintain focus on the process rather than the outcome; to keep it fun, to maintain the laughter, and the light, and not worry about the mess we might be creating. We’ve also done this by engaging in a process of reflection, by periodically pulling back from the work to enable us all to negotiate the next steps as a group, and by finding ways for the group to assist each other’s ideas for the work.

BD: Is there a favourite moment or collaborative artwork you can reflect on? CD: I am constantly inspired by the individuals who participate in the groups regardless of whether their achievements are small or large. Some of the most special moments are the unexpected spontaneous ones. One of these happened recently when I asked the class to create their own life-sized, self-portrait inspired by the Blue Mountains Portrait exhibition. It was wonderful to see the class immersing their whole bodies in this activity, literally getting covered in paint. The joy in the room was infectious. The works took three weeks to complete, and when finished, each single painting represented each unique individual who took part; placed together they were a very impressive sight to see.

Celebrating each other’s achievements together is also really important. Often, what may appear to be a small achievement, in fact is a huge achievement, so we don’t let those moments go unnoticed.

BD: What have you learnt from being part of the group? CD: There is so much I have learnt from facilitating this group. This class has broadened and extended my skills as much as it has the participants. Most importantly I have learnt the importance of really being present for the class. Whilst I have always provided a vision for each activity, I have learnt to respond to the needs of each participant, to let them guide me where the class needs to go. I find these moments exhilarating, as it’s usually a suggestion from the class which instigates some of the most exciting changes in direction. For me this is what art and creativity are all about. I love how art can be so participatory and be the conduit to bring a diverse bunch of people together and to see their commonalities and strengths.