An exhibition with a difference - empowering and representing

people with disabilities through art

Pictures of You was a new collaborative exhibition led by John Brookes opened at Belconnen Arts

Centre at 6pm on Friday 2 December 2022 ahead of International Day of People with Disability.

The exhibition links people with lived experience of physical and mental disabilities with an

empathic, experienced professional photographer (Hilary Wardhaugh). Working in equal

collaboration to produce an honest portrait, the final works aim to reflect the whole person and not

just the ‘consumer with a disability’.

Project Manager John Brookes of @Canberry Communications explains: “The goal is one of equal

balance in working with the artist to vocalise their experiences and feelings, collaborating to

produce a visual and accessible perspective for reference by the subject and the wider community.

“The end result is combination of a meaningful and balanced exploration of issues and a source of

pride in the subject; coupled with the artist’s natural creative ability to empathise with and interpret

their subject in new ways by working WITH the subject.”

Eleanor Waight, portrait subject, adds “I really didn’t want to be portrayed as a sad figure. I wanted

people to see me as I am and I really liked the end result. I think there is a tendency for people to

see the white cane before they really see the person, which is a shame. . I like the way it shows me

looking forward with a certain sense of anticipation.”

Exhibition opening: 6pm Friday 2 December 2022

Exhibition: 2 December 2022 – 5 February 2023

Learn more: www.belcoarts.com.au/pictures

Images below in order are:

Melissa, Eleanor, Glen, Arto, Bruno and Rebus Theatre