unlimited global alchemy

Invisible Trauma Presentation GV Art Gallery

Invisible Trauma Presentation GVart Gallery

On Ist Feb I was invited by GV Art  Gallery to give a presentation of my artwork and artistic practice to an invited audience about Invisible Trauma and my Unlimited Global Alchemy Commission. The evening was filmed and will be screened at a later date by Urban Times, who were co hosting the evening with GV Art Gallery.

http://www.theurbn.com/2012/02/invisible-traumas/

Naomi Duffree attended the presentation and has reviewed the evening for our project.

Naomi is an exciting emerging writer who is currently undertaking a BA Hons in Creative and Professional Writing. A regular contributer to Kettle Mag, Naomi has also been a collaborating writer for Next Best Page and the Power Line Project.

It was a privilege to be invited to listen to Rachel last night speaking at GV Art – the hub for art and science collaboration in London. It was part of the “Trauma” Exhibition that is showing at the Gallery. Rachel was giving a presentation about her London 2012 Cultural Olympiad International Unlimited Global Alchemy Commission. Having followed the blogging from South Africa, it was an exciting opportunity to hear about it first hand.

Rachel’s piece Ubuntu “I am what I am because of who we all are” hangs in the gallery on the top floor as you walk in. It is an acrylic, chalk and ribbon piece on purple velvet and narrates the traumatic journey that members of Bambanani have been on and shared together since they were infected with HIV/Aids virus. The appeal of the piece for me was the life and hope that Rachel has captured in the faces of these artists, these fellow humans. It really is a stunning piece. I defy anyone not to be moved by it alone.

Rachel spoke to an audience of around forty people. She highlighted the challenges an invisible trauma can present, having her own invisible disability. The passion she has for her artwork and the people, (now friends), she has worked with in South Africa, was delivered in such a way that everyone in the room felt they too knew these people and had a better understanding of what Nondumiso and the group are going through.

The message that came through was that it doesn’t matter what is happening in your life, if you are strong you will survive. Their need for each other and their understanding of one another helped them through their ordeals. It is the same the world over. Rachel emphasised “how life is precious, how important it is and to enjoy every moment.” The Bambanani group certainly have done that in their time spent with Rachel. It was wonderful to see their photographs taken during the visit – such happy faces and so full of life despite the traumas that they are enduring. It is important for them to speak out through their art work about their invisible traumas and make them visible. The fact that you would not know of their pain by seeing the photographs backs up Rachel’s other directive that if you are busy in your life then you don’t have time to think about your health. As soon as you can be creative the better it is for everyone.

That wasn’t the only message taken away last night, but I do believe it is a vitally important one that we should all adhere to.

The evening ended with a talk from Gill Lloyd, co-director of ArtsAdmin and many questions from the floor. I think it will be a talking point for a very long time. As it should be. As Rachel said, “what’s invisible should become visible.” And what could be a better way to do that than through art?

Trauma Exhibition       1st December 2011 to 18 February 2012

GV Art Gallery  
49 Chiltern Street London W1U 6LY
020 8408 9800

Posted by , 12:02pm 03/02/12