SANE's The Dax Centre, which is committed to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health issues and psychological trauma through art. presents 'Adopted', an exhibition traversing the lived experience of adoption. Featuring artists Weniki Hensch, Ebony Hickey, Peter Waples-Crowe, and Lisa Waup.
The Dax Centre provides artists with lived experience of mental health issues opportunities for creative expression while fostering social change by expanding the public's awareness of mental illness and breaking down stigma through art.
Summary:
- Friday October 7, 6–8pm – launch of 'Adopted' exhibition.
- Adopted features four contemporary artists with a lived experience of adoption. Two indigenous Australian artists, a Haitian born Australian artist and Papua New Guinean born Australian artist.
- Exhibition entry is free.
- Exhibition opening event is a free event with light refreshments served.
- Free 32-page full colour exhibition catalogue.
- At The Dax Centre, 30 Royal Parade, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville.
- The exhibition runs until 6 April, 2023.
This exhibition will include creative projects that provide unique narratives that confront issues of social and emotional wellbeing, marginalisation, identity, belonging, and crossing cultural boundaries.
The projects based on autoethnography delve into the makers' personal journey of meaning-making from the complexity of their lived experience.
Weniki Hensch is a Papua New Guinean born multidisciplinary artist based in Naarm (Melbourne).
As one of the exhibiting artists she says her work details her continuously changing adoption journey.
"Each time I dive back into my adoption journey, the immersion experience is progressively different.
"It is an experience that continues to organically morph and mould new layers of understanding, forgiveness and active shedding of the things that I cannot change," she said.
"Transmuting the vulnerable and shining a light on the unknown parts of myself.
"Finding peace and fire in what I can create."
The discourse of adoption has historically been framed from the adopter's perspective.
This unique exhibition provides a voice to the adoptee and their evolution.
Lisa Waup is a mixed-cultural First Peoples multidisciplinary artist, curator and mother, born in Naarm (Melbourne).
Lisa Waup works are a part of the 'Adopted' exhibition and she says making art over the years has helped her through life's journey.
"My art has given me a place to be able to process and to express my life's path – one that was altered at birth.
"It has been a long road, and it will be a lifelong process for me to find lost, stolen and hidden family."
The arts not only can have a positive impact for those with complex mental illness, but it can also help raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with it.
SANE CEO Rachel Green says the 'Adopted' exhibition is a welcomed addition to The Dax Centre program.
"SANE's The Dax Centre is thrilled to hold this exhibition. The theme of adoption from the eyes of the adoptee is a new and unique take on the topic.
"These works show the influence that adoption can have on people's lives, and explores the interplay with mental health and social and emotional wellbeing."
As part of the exhibition The Dax Centre will host a series of free public programs including an Artists in Conversation panel event and creative workshops with the artists.
The exhibition will run from October 5 until April 6 2023 and is supported by The City of Melbourne.
Key Facts:
· The Dax Centre is part of SANE, Australia's leading national mental health organisation for people with complex mental health issues and for the families and friends that support them.
· The 32-page full colour catalogue will be available from The Dax Centre during the exhibition.
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