People with disability are invited to join a unique photography project

The winner of the Remagine Art Prize 2023 has been announced, with Canberra glass artist Jennifer Kemarre Martiniello taking out the first prize of $5,000 for her sculpture, Not Wasted, made from recycled television screens. Of Arrernte (Australian Central Desert), Chinese and Anglo-Celtic descent, Martiniello embraces 60,000 years of Indigenous Australian culture through her identity and the medium of glass.

“This work illustrates my caretaker roles of taking care of Country and shattering silences around dominant culture taboo about speaking openly about death. This is a self-portrait illustrating my journey through lung cancer and subsequent metastatic brain tumours,” said Martiniello.

“It is also about taking care of Country despite being an urban-based First Nations artist who has used various forms of western technology which contemporary society discards, with no clue as to what harm it may cause to the ‘Mother’ who nurtures us.”

The annual Remagine Art Prize is hosted by Hornsby Shire Council in partnership with Hornsby Art Society. This competition challenges artists to create works in response to the crisis we are all facing with waste and over-consumption. The theme for this year was ‘Wasteland or Wonderland’, referring to the decisions that we make each day about how much waste we create.

Kyogle-based painter Ross Tamlin was named runner up, winning $3,000 in prize money for his painting, Scrap Metal.

“I am an artist who has been recycling waste house and industrial paint, using it in my paintings for years. I was inspired to do a painting of the scrap metal I had seen on a recent trip to the local tip and was amazed by the massive pile of industrial and household waste,” said Tamlin.

Talented Hornsby photographer Orlando Luminere collected the Local Artist Award and a $1,000 prize for his photograph, Wasteful Photography.

Claire Engkaninan Low from Kirribilli secured the Recycled/Reused Materials Award and $1,000 in prize money for her painting on a discarded skateboard, All Monsters Are Real. Kiacatoo’s mosaic artist Kelly MacKey was also acknowledged in this category, with a Highly Commended by the judges.

Mt. Victoria’s Scott Collins won the Youth Award (16-21 years) and $750 in prize money for his artwork, Ethereal Wasteland.

Hornsby Shire Mayor Philip Ruddock praised the finalists for their inspiring artworks.

“Congratulations to these worthy winners of the Remagine Art Prize. These artists have expressed their passion for sustainability and the environment through each of these unique, thoughtprovoking works. Council remains committed to preserving our natural environment for generations to come. This year’s theme emphasised how we can all play a part in reducing waste and living more sustainably,”

Mayor Ruddock said.

The respected panel of judges for 2023 was Australian contemporary artist, Leila Jeffreys, curator Nick Vickers, and John Cheeseman, Director of Mosman Art Gallery.

Art lovers can visit the 2023 Remagine Art Prize finalist exhibition at Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, 25 Edgeworth David Avenue, Hornsby until Sunday, 4 June 2023. Tuesday to Sunday, 10am - 4pm. Free entry.

For further details, visit hornsby.nsw.gov.au/ remagine.

People with disability are invited to join a unique photography project

Northern Rivers people with disability are invited to take part in a photography project designed to capture their experience of the world and give others more understanding of living with disability.

Photovoice is a five-week photography workshop-project led by not-for-profit organisation, Social Futures – an NDIS partner in the community.

Social Futures Capacity Building and Engagement Manager Lynda Hope describes Photovoice as a form of photographic storytelling.

“Photovoice explores the concept of ‘disability pride’ and each week participants take a photo connected to a theme that helps them express how they feel. The topics the group will discuss include ‘I love being me because…’, ‘inclusion’, ‘courage’ and ‘pride’,” Ms Hope said.

“Photovoice will be run online, so all participants need is a smart phone or a camera, and the Zoom video chat app.

“And you don’t even need to be particularly creative to participate. You just need to be comfortable talking and sharing in a small group. You will also have the chance to make new friends.

“We will teach you how to use your smart phone or camera with tips and tricks on taking great photos. And you will need a willingness to learn more about yourself and to share with others.”

“Every week participants will then share their photos illustrating that theme and then explain their photo. We do this as a group.

“People will feel supported and safe to explore their thoughts, feelings and perspectives about topics relating to disability that aren’t usually talked about.”

You can learn more about Photovoice by watching this video on the Social Futures website: https:// socialfutures.org.au/ service/photovoiceshare-the-world-throughyour-eyes/ Ms Hope said she wanted to organise a community exhibition of the photos participants were happy to share.

“Thought-provoking photos show the reality of the participants’ lives to the community – they illuminate challenges, celebrate triumphs and hopefully encourage the broader community to have a deeper understanding of the lives of people with disability and the issues that affect them,” she said.

If you are aged 18 years or older and interested in being part of Photovoice – Disability Pride groups

Artist’s Statement

Half a brain

Perseverance and persistence, relearnt how to knit.

A brain beanie was created to reflect my brain injury The righthand side of the beanie is grey with outlines of the different parts of my brain

This has now become the mascot of the charity I am currently involved in.

Artist’s Statement “Gaslit”

You’re being too sensitive…

Get over it…

C’mon its not that bad… Harden up…

The world doesn’t revolve around you… Some things are not as obvious as a ramp or cane.

I suffer in silence and sit in shame.

Noises razor sharp and I struggle to breathe.

Someone just listen to me please.

I take pride in who I am I take pride in what I can create

One of my creations is QuackStar who is a creative magical duck with magical rainbow wings

He takes pride in bringing hope, love and magic to the world

We can all take pride in who we are with Social Futures, call 1800 522 679 or email lac@socialfutures.org.au

Artist’s Statement “Gaslit”

You’re being too sensitive… Get over it…

C’mon its not that bad… Harden up…

The world doesn’t revolve around you…

Some things are not as obvious as a ramp or cane.

I suffer in silence and sit in shame.

Noises razor sharp and I struggle to breathe.

Someone just listen to me please.