Press
The Exquisite Familiar Project
In 2024, Access2Arts invited disabled artists from across the Eyre Peninsula and surrounding areas to take part in a series of online and in-person workshops in Port Lincoln ahead of the 2024 SALT Festival.
The workshops formed part of The Exquisite Familiar, a collaborative art project exploring the barriers, experiences and perspectives of people living with disability through creativity and visual art.
I was excited to be part of this unique project, creating two artworks, with Marianne as my primary focus. Each artwork was divided into three sections and combined with the work of other participating artists to create entirely new and imaginative creatures.
The final collaborative artworks were exhibited during the SALT Festival and later showcased at the Middleback Arts Centre in Whyalla.
I’m incredibly proud to have contributed to this project and to have had the opportunity to see my artwork transformed through collaboration with other disabled artists.
Watch the video below to see the final collaborative piece showcased at the Middleback Arts Centre in Whyalla. Click here for video
Learn more about The Exquisite Familiar through Access2Arts.
Twice as Nice Gallery Café
In 2022, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Twice as Nice Gallery Café, a travelling double-decker bus café that was touring Australia while raising funds and awareness for Muscular Dystrophy.
Their visit to Whyalla was a truly memorable experience. Lori brought the impressive double-decker bus into our yard and set up the café, making coffee for us and others in the community. Seeing such a large bus parked in our yard was certainly a sight to see!
During his visit, I had the privilege of creating an artwork especially for the bus. I was thrilled to see that my artwork found the perfect place onboard and was so pleased that Lori loved it.
What made the experience particularly special was hearing Lori’s stories and learning about the people and communities he had encountered throughout his travels. His journey demonstrated just how much kindness and support exists around the world, and how much can be achieved when people come together and simply ask for help.
Meeting Lori and hearing about his experiences is something I will always remember and cherish. It was an honour to contribute a small piece of my artwork to such a meaningful journey.
“Just one bite at a time.” 🖤
I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of the Twice as Nice Gallery Café story, even in a small way. It was wonderful to meet Lori and see my artwork become part of the bus’s journey around Australia.
Until we meet again — safe and happy travels!
To visit Lori’s Facebook page, please click here
The World’s Biggest Comic Book
In 2019 / 2020, I was honoured to be invited to create artwork for the Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network as part of The World’s Biggest Comic Book — an inspiring initiative designed to raise awareness, encourage conversations about mental health and suicide prevention, and remind people that they are never alone.
I created artwork that became part of the larger comic book project. My original drawings were then enlarged onto giant canvases and displayed throughout Whyalla, transforming my artwork into large-scale public pieces that could be seen and enjoyed by the wider community.
Being involved in this project was particularly meaningful because it demonstrated how art can be used as a powerful tool for communication and connection. Rather than simply being something to look at, the artwork became part of a much bigger message about hope, courage, connection and supporting one another.
It was incredibly exciting to see my hand-drawn artwork reproduced on such a large scale and displayed around my hometown. Knowing that something I had created could contribute to an important community initiative made this project a very special milestone in my artistic journey.
The project also received media attention, including coverage from 7NEWS Adelaide, helping share the message beyond the Whyalla community.
Find out more:
The World’s Biggest Comic Book – Courage Bug
Read more about The World’s Biggest Comic Book
7NEWS Adelaide
Watch the 7NEWS Adelaide coverage
Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network
Webster Lawyers Service to the Community Award
In 2019, I was a finalist in the Awards Australia SA Young Achiever Awards, where I received the Webster Lawyers Service to the Community Award.
My twin sister, Zia, was also a finalist and received the Santos: Proudly Australian Regional Service Award, making the Gala presentation in Adelaide a particularly memorable night for both of us.
The Webster Lawyers award recognised my involvement in the Whyalla community, particularly my work advocating for people living with disability and improving accessibility.
At the time, I was a founding member of the Whyalla Youth Advisory Committee, where I advocated for an event recognising International Day of People with Disability. I was also involved with the Whyalla Beach Access Group, helping raise awareness about accessible beaches, fundraise for beach wheelchairs and encourage greater inclusion.
I also served as an advisor to the Whyalla Disability Advisory Group and contributed to the development of Living Well: Whyalla’s Masterplan for Disability & Ageing.
Receiving the award was a meaningful recognition of the community work I was involved in and remains a proud milestone for me.
And, of course, being an identical twin made the night even more memorable! Several people at the Gala initially thought Zia and I were the same person who had somehow won two awards!
Read more:
Whyalla City Council – Double Honour for Sisters
