26 November 2018 – From August 10th until the 23rd at the H D Skinner Annex, Otago Museum there was a unique art exhibition. What was it that made this exhibition groundbreaking? The organisers and every single artist are all autistic.
iNDx showcased 31 artists from around New Zealand, one from Melbourne and videos that we screened onsite and in workshops from autistic advocates from the UK and America. The art on show varied from knitting, to photography and written word.
Five artists came from Studio 2 in Dunedin. Studio 2/Margaret Freeman Gallery is a small gallery and studio space in central Dunedin where disabled people are supported to create artworks.
We had artists create at Art Space, which is an art focussed daybase run by IDEA and also Dunedin Artsenta. Artsenta is an art studio for people who use mental health services and are interested in being creative.
Some of our artists see art as a therapeutic hobby. We also included artists who have undertaken formal training such as a painting diploma, design certificate, creative studies and a Bachelor degree in photography.
One of our Artists Tom Fox has been inspired, we like to think by iNDx, to complete his Masters Degree in Fine Arts, now with autism being woven into it.
Some of our artists are just beginning their journey both art, as well as with their understanding autism.
Others, as you can see, are bona fide professional artists. We were excited to have had such a diverse range people come together for this project. And even more excited that we will be doing it again in 2019!
- This article appeared in Altogether Autism Journal, Issue 3 2018