“Negation of Perception (detail)” by Maureen Caelli

The artists exhibiting in “Perception”

Artist Jenni Heckendorf with her work “Pieces of Me”

Dr Possum with his “Yihnsuhng” panda works

l to r Pauly Carberry from Koomarri, artist Alex Kilgariff and Arts Ability officer Caro Roach

David Heckendorf of Lyons

“I’m a person first” by Giselle Burningham

James Rowell, “Vision city,” detail

“Mystic Muse” by Phillippa Berry.

“PERCEPTION” is an exhibition that “values the diverse expressions of ACT artists experiencing disability and disadvantage”.

It’s the third year running that such an exhibition has been held at the Belconnen Arts Centre, where a group of artists, family and media gathered on Thursday, November 17, to view the sophisticated show and be part of the celebration of the International Day of People with Disability on December 3.

The excited artists were full of stories. Dr Possum, from Chisholm, who held a very successful exhibition in the National Convention Centre earlier in the year, explained how his artworks now focus largely on panda conservation.

Director of the centre, Hannah Semler, applauded the exhibition saying that the standards “keep climbing and climbing and climbing”.

She alluded to changes in the ACT arts community office, telling those present that Belconnen Arts Centre would continue its focus on differently-abled artists, saying “22 per cent of the population should be properly recognised”.

ACT ArtsAbility Officer Caro Roach said she and her collaborators have been working on this exhibition for the whole year. She introduced the guest speaker Kate Larsen, CEO of Arts Access Australia, who congratulated the centre on the exhibition and said she looked forward to working with BCA and its community arts officer, “to secure a good future”.

“Perception” aims to challenge perceptions about disability. Sixty large-format works and installations are on show, including one large canvas by the Black Mountain School and a selection of touring works from Tasmanian Acquired Brain Injury Services.

The paintings, drawings, digital media, films, textiles and mixed media works represent 50 individual artists.

“Perception,” at the Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank Belconnen, until December 4.

Public events during the exhibition include the following: “Meet the Artists”, a short film screening featuring the “Perception” documentary, November 27, 3pm; gala event with guest speakers Minister for the Arts Joy Burch and Prof Colin Rhodes from Sydney College of the Arts, with an inclusive entertainment program including book launch, music, dance and theatre, 6pm, December 2.

Special artists exhibit at Belconne