Artists with disability UNBOUND in new exhibition

UNBOUND – a showcase of works by artists with disability – has been launched by Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards at Dudley House in View Street, and will be freely open to the public until Sunday 23 February.

As part of the opening, several awards were announced.

The major UNBOUND Award for 2025 went to Paul Buckhorn for his untitled piece, while Matthew Considine was highly commended for Insides.

Further judges’ commendations went to Michelle Loschiavo for Deer in Bloom, Paul Harrington for The Thicket and Kate Prendergast for Simba.

Ryan Healy won the UNBOUND Emerging Artist Award for under-25s, Shee Klu Bwe was highly commended and Caitlyn Hardy received a judges’ commendation.

Artist with disability and exhibition judge Sara McQueenie spoke at the launch.

“We’re actually sitting in a jewel box,” she said. “A jewel box of emotion and precious moments.

“We’re surrounded by love and pain and color and storytelling.

“I want to congratulate every artist that’s here, because every work encapsulates the essence of their journeys, and I want to thank them for sharing that with us.

“It takes courage. I know as an artist it (also) takes extra time, it takes extra energy, and often you need to balance your energy with your creativity.

“What we need is to bring (this) community together. Disability puts us in a bubble. It’s about making pathways for artists to be exhibited in mainstream art exhibitions.

“This is a starting point, I’ve waited a lifetime to see this. It’s deeply emotional and I (take) great pride in seeing these works all come together.

“We need everyone to dream and to aspire towards something great, and we can’t do it without you.”

Tamara Reinisch, founder of the exhibition, described it as a celebration of unrestrained self-expression, designed to break down societal biases about the talents of people with disability and inspire others to create.

UNBOUND also features the Victorian Senior Practitioner’s collection, showcasing 15 years of art award winners, presented in its entirety for the first time.