An exhibition by artists from different ethnic backgrounds and disabilities aims to highlight the healing abilities of creative work.
Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its ArtAbility exhibition in Melbourne.
ArtAbility has helped launch the careers of hundreds of artists.
Zara Zaher reports.
Maree Roche has been battling depression since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder three years ago.
The 38-year-old artist admits some days she finds it hard to get out of bed.
But Ms Roche has regained her inspiration through art.
She credits the ArtAbility program established by Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities or ADEC.
"It was quite a shock to me and I didn't know what I was going to do with my life. Everything had changed and it was actually a blessing that I stumbled across ADEC and I stumbled across art. And so I experimented with it and I thought oh this isn't too bad actually. And other people, other than my relatives started buying my artwork so it gave me the confidence and the courage to move on and do art."
Maree Roche has now launched her own online art store called Works of HeArts and she's enrolled into a fine arts course.
"I think when you have the opportunity to express your heart and soul, express your intuition and your deep and intimate thoughts that you might not share in conversation but have the courage to put it on canvas, then the whole world can understand and see you in a different light and not just your diagnosis and move beyond that into your self expression and your creativity."
Keith Hitchen is the Executive Director of Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities.
Mr Hitchen says the aim of the program is to create opportunities for people like Ms Roche to develop both personally and professionally.
"A lot of our clients are isolated because of language barriers, because of stigma related to disabilities or mental health issues and so our job is to try and bring them back into the community and become what I suppose you could say a worthwhile member of the community. But it's not about them being a worthwhile member, it's about them connecting with Australian traditions and Australian way of life."
And it's also through ADEC that Turkish born, Serpil Karamanoglu discovered her skills as an artist.
"You know in the class, I said I'll try and I'll use the brush, you know, I said ok I'll do it. Ah yes, I tried it at home and I did this one. I'm shocked, my kids (were) shocked, everyone (was) shocked...how come you do it?!"
Ms Karamanoglu says the classes not only help her practice her English, they stop her getting depressed.
She also aims to attend art school next year.
Chris Lawrence is the coordinator of ArtAbility.
Mr Lawrence says the program is about empowering people to discover their abilities rather than focusing on their disabilities.
"We look to create social connectiveness through art, through encouraging people to have a voice, to have an identity other than disability."
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