Studio A exhibition opens at Lismore gallery

A NEW exhibition featuring Studio A artists Guy Fredericks and Damian Showyin has opened at Lismore Regional Gallery, bringing nationally recognised work by artists with intellectual disability to the region.

Developed in partnership with Studio A, the exhibition forms part of a touring program designed to expand access to museum-quality contemporary art across regional New South Wales.

Studio A supports artists with intellectual disability to build professional creative practices through exhibitions, commissions and partnerships across Australia.

Studio A chief executive officer and artistic director Gabrielle Mordy said the tour was helping shift perceptions of artists with disability.

“Our artists are creating bold, ambitious work that resonates with diverse audiences,” she said.

 

“By touring across NSW, we’re not only increasing access to high-quality contemporary art, but we’re also reshaping public understanding of artistic leadership and setting new standards for inclusion.”

Among the featured works is Bleeding Hearts and Morning Glory by Fredericks, which explores climate change and environmental care.

The project was developed in collaboration with Dr Chloe Watfern and Bushlink, an organisation that supports people with intellectual disability to work in bush regeneration.

Fredericks said he hoped the exhibition would broaden conversations around environmental issues.

“I hope this exhibition gets more and different people involved in discussions about climate change and widens awareness,” he said.

“I really admire the work that the Bushlink team is doing, creating more habitat for native plants and animals.

 

“In my exhibition, I want to honour the important work Bushlink does in bush regeneration.”

Also on display is the first solo regional exhibition by Damian Showyin, whose layered and rhythmic paintings focus strongly on colour.

“I paint different colours – blue, orange, red, white, pink, green, and brown. I like different colours,” he said.

“I feel happy when I paint. When I’m painting I’m calm.”

The exhibition opened on March 28 and runs at Lismore Regional Gallery until June.