Arty pair’s works chosen for Perth

Busselton’s Leslie Slayford and Ross Clarke will make their artistic debuts later this month at Activ Artspace.

Forest Trees and Circles, painted by Slayford and Clarke respectively, have been chosen for the fourth annual exhibition, which runs from May 29-June 2 in Perth and gives people living with a disability the opportunity to exhibit original pieces across a range of media.

Clarke told the Times he had been encouraged to take up art by one of his support workers and enjoyed painting a range of subjects, often from memory.

Slayford is inspired by the outdoors and recently painted the boat harbour where he sails and a forest, like those found in Bridgetown, where he used to live.

Both men said they were reasonably new to painting but indicated keenness to continue.

A piece by WA artist Roslyn Burns, who paints with her left foot after being diagnosed with an uncontrollable movement disorder and paralysis of the right arm, will also be auctioned at this year’s exhibition.

The money raised will go towards future exhibitions to support up-and-coming artists.

Activ chief executive Danielle Newport said the organisation was proud to exhibit the artworks to the wider community.

“For many of the people we support, art is a form of expression, allowing them to share their thoughts, feelings and emotions through their work,” she said.

“We are thrilled to be able to give the people that we support the chance to express themselves through this annual exhibition which, over the past four years, has encouraged their creativity and seen them flourish as artists.”

Most pieces are for sale, with the proceeds from every piece sold going directly back to the artists who created them.

Activ Artspace will be open to the public from May 29-June 2 from 8.30am-4.30pm.

For more information, go to activ.asn.au.