POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH:  Improving one’s sense of wellbeing using art, creative writing, photography and blogging – my journey written by ©Karen Robinson.  Please click here for my latest blog news!

Please find below a slide show of the abstract paintings I exhibited during 2012.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

EXHIBITION 1 of 2:  “Transport Accident Commission – Head Office Geelong” Victoria Australia.  For abstract painting stories, please open this link –  Abstract Painting Portfolio

January – 2012, I was asked by Janet Dore, Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) CEO, if TAC could purchase my abstract painting No. 45E Titled “Reaching out to Sons”.  It was one of my paintings that had been exhibited in TAC’s “Picture This” Exhibition 2011.  This painting was one of a series, that I had been painted over a number of years, which was about my family’s road trauma story and journey.  I was also asked, if I would like to sell the original painting or would I be interested in painting another.  After giving it a lot of thought and whilst I was very humbled that TAC should want my painting or have me do another, I realized I couldn’t sell this abstract painting or paint another as the painting story was deeply personal and would be too painful to do again.  I proposed that my family would be happy to loan the series of abstract paintings (featured below) on the basis they would be exhibited within TAC’s Geelong Offices.  TAC were really happy to exhibit the series and kindly hang them within their offices.

EXHIBITION 2 of 2:  “Picture This” 2012

November 1 – 18 2012, I participated in Transport Accident Commission (TAC) exhibition called “Picture This” along with other artists whom had some how been affected by road trauma.  It was located at Gasworks Arts Park, corner Pickles & Graham Streets, Albert Park, Melbourne, Victoria – Australia.  “Picture This provides people who have been affected by road trauma to use artistic expression, whether it is drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, photography or textiles, to share their experiences.  The exhibitions showcase artwork by people who have either taken up art since being involved in a transport accident, or who were artists before their accident” (TAC. 2014).  As TAC is located within Geelong, Victoria (Australia), Picture This 2012 was also exhibited at Courthouse Arts, Dec 10 – 15, 2012. Transport Accident Commission. (2014). Claims and Support. Client Art Exhibition. Picture This 2013. Retrieved from http://www.tac.vic.gov.au/claims/client-zone/client-art-exhibition

Below is the abstract painting No. 45F “A Fractured Life” and it’s story which I chose to exhibit.

Painting No. 45F – Title “A Fractured Life” Feb/Oct 2012
Acrylic on Canvas
91cms Length x 91cms Wide x 3cms Deep
Painting Story: This painting is the sixth painting and part of a series of paintings on road trauma and the ripple effect! It is called “A Fractured Life” and it reflects how my life is now that my son is longer with us. Ben was killed in a single vehicle crash on the 5th November 2009, at the age of 25. The black square in the centre of the right top corner is the grief I hold in my life for the loss of my son. The shapes coming out from his grief, is my life as it is now, fractured! It no longer fits the way it did before. My life will never be the same. To say I need to build a new life…doesn’t fit either. The loss of my son has left a gaping hole in my heart. It will never by fixed…it’s fractured. In memory of my beautiful boy Ben…love you forever…mum
Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson
NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

 

Footnote:

The process of painting, painting story writing and digital photo painting has offered me a way of expressing thoughts and emotions which can be difficult to say out loud.  I also came to understanding that art can be a very powerful way of communicating with others.  Therapy via art –  gave me a voice…

My art therapy journey has been an important part of recent years and still will be an important part in years to come.  I am hoping that by sharing my art therapy journey, will inspire others, to take up art therapy to find their voice – in order to be able to move forward in most difficult of times.  Art Therapy has brought me now to a much better place where I find myself being able to seek joy in each day.  As an ongoing process, I will be blogging about my art therapy journey “moving forward” and expand on how others have used/are using art therapy to assist physical and emotional well-being.  I hope you will join me!

 

© Karen Robinson – April 2014

POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH:  Improving one’s sense of wellbeing using art, creative writing, photography and blogging – my journey written by ©Karen Robinson.  Please click here for my latest blog news!