Saturday Magazine

17 Aug 2024

Saturday 17th August, 2024: Liz Nowell – Arts Project Australia Executive Director; Exhibition: 50 Birds – 50 years: Arts Project Australia

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Nevena and Hayley talk to Liz Nowell – Arts Project Australia Executive Director; Exhibition: 50 Birds – 50 years: Arts Project Australia

50 Birds is a visual arts exhibition that celebrates the 50-year anniversary for two iconic organisations – Arts Project Australia and Arts Access Victoria. It recognises 100 years of disability arts advocacy.

Curated by Rosie O’Brien and Pegs Marlow, 50 Birds brings together 14 artists who are inspired by the beauty and brilliance of birds across ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing, embroidery and textiles.

50 Birds is Rosie O’Brien’s curatorial debut since joining with Arts Project Australia in 2015 – she says, “I love nature because I’m a flower myself. Nature has such a presence. I like bird calls and their songs. I like all birds.”

“With my bird paintings, I don’t follow the ones in the book; I do my own versions of the birds, because it’s extra special doing it that way. I really like working with gouache, because you can choose what colour you want for each picture, each bird,” explains Rosie.

Rosie finds painting really therapeutic. For almost 10 years at Art Project Australia she has created works for several group exhibitions in Sydney and Melbourne and completed a six-month traineeship at the Collingwood Yards gallery.

Arts Project Australia Executive Director, Liz Nowell, says “Our artists are always at the centre of everything we do. Since 1974 we have supported over 500 artists to make art on their own terms. 50 Birds is a moment to partner with our friends at Arts Access Victoria to acknowledge our impressive shared milestone.”

Recently appointed Arts Access Victoria CEO, Joshua Pether, says “We proudly support the work of Deaf and Disabled artists and work towards cultural equity for all Deaf and Disabled people. We are thrilled to partner with Arts Project Australia to highlight the work of artists across both organisations in celebration of our 50 years.”