This exhibition is the artistic expression of two Charters Towers community personalities, Heather Jonsson and Terry Slack, who both experienced health challenges. Both found visual art making provided positive outcomes when life became challenging.
JOURNAL | JOURNEY
Heather Jonsson + Terry Slack
art exhibition 3-26 February
opening Fri 3 Feb 7pm
Sadly, Terry is no longer with us, but has left behind a record of his creative thoughts over the last few years in poetry and art.
Heather is still pushing her limits while finding a solution for her condition "Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak" - which is when the CSF escapes through a tear or hole in the dura, the outermost layer of the meninges, which surround the brain.
More info: https://www.facebook.com/CSFLeakAuNZ
***
“I’m a diary kind of girl. I like to plan, organise, set goals, schedule holidays etc. I’d purchased my 2021 diary not long after it hit the shop. I was excited about getting better and planning my life a bit. But with a life in limbo you just await your next doctors appointment. With everything stripped away I turned this book into an art journal 53 weeks of pictures. Some double spreads, some single images. I can tell you my art has improved in this time. The picture is the last week to sum up 2022. Apart from this I may need help when I’m out walking or just can’t manage simple tasks - but I’m still ME, the one that loves a hug, a catch up a coffee. I’m here, just waiting to be fixed.” Heather
***
TERRY SLACK was a true ‘Renaissance Man’ imbued with diverse esoteric and artistic talents. Everything Terry indulged in revealed the depth of his inner wisdom enabling him to bring insight and succour to his variable roles as healing masseur, revelationary spiritualist and life counsellor.
His poetry reaches into the lives of others with compassion and humour and shows his capacity to get to the essence of how to live with faith, acceptance, gratitude and happiness. His art shows his aptitude to portray his subjects with a childlike honesty.
Terry belongs in the annals of those spiritually advanced souls who demonstrate the higher principles of life through their words, actions, deeds and unconditional service to others.
A life well lived.
Written by Brenda Joy Pritchard, friend & poet
***
Art as therapy has benefits purely given by the act of creative expression while engaging in a relaxing activity. You may be watching a movie, taking a walk or reading a book, or activily creating art in a journal, on canvas or with a camera. The act itself is therapeutic in that it transports us away from our daily stresses, and the act of creating provides a satisfying feeling of accomplishment, especially as you see your skills improve.
During art making activity, we may experience emotional expression, understanding of ourselves, and moments of personal insight into problems.
Art therapy is different, as the art making is done in session with a therapist, so you can be guided on how to process these unexpected emotions and insights
A Critical Appraisal of Research in Arts, Health and Wellbeing
Art Therapy: A Complementary Treatment for Mental Disorders : REVIEW article
“I’m a diary kind of girl. I like to plan, organise, set goals, schedule holidays etc. I’d purchased my 2021 diary not long after it hit the shop. I was excited about getting better and planning my life a bit. But with a life in limbo you just await your next doctors appointment. With everything stripped away I turned this book into an art journal 53 weeks of pictures. Some double spreads, some single images. I can tell you my art has improved in this time. The picture is the last week to sum up 2022. Apart from this I may need help when I’m out walking or just can’t manage simple tasks - but I’m still ME, the one that loves a hug, a catch up a coffee. I’m here, just waiting to be fixed.” Heather
***
TERRY SLACK was a true ‘Renaissance Man’ imbued with diverse esoteric and artistic talents. Everything Terry indulged in revealed the depth of his inner wisdom enabling him to bring insight and succour to his variable roles as healing masseur, revelationary spiritualist and life counsellor.
His poetry reaches into the lives of others with compassion and humour and shows his capacity to get to the essence of how to live with faith, acceptance, gratitude and happiness. His art shows his aptitude to portray his subjects with a childlike honesty.
Terry belongs in the annals of those spiritually advanced souls who demonstrate the higher principles of life through their words, actions, deeds and unconditional service to others.
A life well lived.
Written by Brenda Joy Pritchard, friend & poet
***
Art as therapy has benefits purely given by the act of creative expression while engaging in a relaxing activity. You may be watching a movie, taking a walk or reading a book, or activily creating art in a journal, on canvas or with a camera. The act itself is therapeutic in that it transports us away from our daily stresses, and the act of creating provides a satisfying feeling of accomplishment, especially as you see your skills improve.
During art making activity, we may experience emotional expression, understanding of ourselves, and moments of personal insight into problems.
Art therapy is different, as the art making is done in session with a therapist, so you can be guided on how to process these unexpected emotions and insights
A Critical Appraisal of Research in Arts, Health and Wellbeing
Art Therapy: A Complementary Treatment for Mental Disorders : REVIEW article
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