IT is more than just painting for Munster artist Ebony Blackley who will open her first art exhibition at Kidogo Arthouse in Fremantle on Thursday June 7.
When the former Applecross High School student was 20 years old she had an accident and broke her neck.
Ms Blackley said a darkness hovered over her for a long time.
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READ NOW“My recovery took hold when I started painting – I would paint for hours and it felt like a few minutes had passed,” she said.
“My neck healed much faster than my mind.”
The artist began creating when she about five-years-old with her grandfather in his woodturning workshop in Falcon.
The 29-year-old said she would make sculptures using his wood off-cuts.
“My love for art was cemented at Applecross High School where I was exposed to techniques and materials I didn’t even know existed,” she said.
“I started attending drawing, painting and printmaking workshops at Fremantle Arts Centre about three months after the accident.
“Before my injury I always liked to draw but found with work and other commitments I struggled to find the time to paint.
“I have a feeling that my accident might have happened to bring me back to art.”
The artist said that she felt surprised and humbled that her exhibition has come together.
“There is no concept behind each work. I am not challenging or trying to provoke any ideas or sensibilities,” she said.
“If someone looks at a painting or photograph in my exhibition and has a moment of stillness between thoughts and is aware of that space I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Despite her challenges Ms Blackley said she had much to be grateful for and hoped to gain an arts residency.
WHAT: Frame of No Mind, art exhibition WHEN: Opening night Thursday June 7 from 6.30pm, Friday June 8 to Sunday June 17 from 11am to 4pm. (excluding Saturday June 9) WHERE: Kidogo Arthouse, Fremantle
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