Art show focuses on gambling harm

AN art exhibition exploring experiences of gambling harm is encouraging insight into addiction and recovery through a perspective of empathy.

Come, Stand in My Shoes, initiated by Gamblers Help Community Engagement at Cafs Ballarat, is a series of personal artworks created by participants from the Grampians Therapeutic Community at Windana Grampians.

“Gambling harm is often hidden, and the impacts can be deeply personal for individuals and families,” Cafs CEO Wendy Sturgess said.

“This exhibition brings those experiences to life in a way that encourages empathy, reduces stigma, and helps people better understand the complexity of addiction and recovery.”

She said the exhibition highlighted the significance of understanding gambling harm beyond statistics and stereotypes.

The project demonstrated how creative expression could play a role in recovery, offering a safe and supportive way for individuals to process experiences and share their stories.

Linda Borner, team leader of Financial and Gamblers Help Community Engagement, said the works express the challenges of addiction and the strength involved in recovery.

She said last year Australians spent $8 billion on alcohol and lost $31 billion to gambling.

“These pieces capture moments that are often difficult to put into words,” Borner said.

“Through a trauma-informed process, participants were able to explore their stories in a way that promotes healing, connection and hope, while also helping others to better understand the realities of gambling harm.”

She said people are all connected by stories.

“And we chose art as the medium for this storytelling because art is one of those rare tools that we have as humans that can hold really heavy things, heavy subject matter, without collapsing,” she said.

Come, Stand in My Shoes is part of Cafs’ work to promote awareness of gambling harm and support individuals, families and communities affected throughout the Central Highlands region.

The exhibition will tour the Grampians region. Organisations or community groups who would like to host Come, Stand in My Shoes can email [email protected] for more information.