Menu
A Leaf From My Book
Artist: Susan Oxenham
Project category: Independent Artists
Art form: Visual Art and Sculpture
Date of event: Exhibition dates 5 - 19 November 2011 (closed Sundays)
Event venue: Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 597 High St Penrith, NSW 2750
Cost: Free
Contact: Susan Oxenham ph: 0414 675 526 sooriginal10@gmail.com
Access: Accessible venue, amenities and accessible parking in the adjacent Penrith Council car park. More access information.
Download
Artist statement
A Leaf From My Book celebrates 10 years of calendar production by artist Susan Oxenham. Each year my calendar brings together my art work with quotes to delight, inspire or reflect on the creative process. An exhibition of art works many that have been featured in the calendars will inspire others with and without disabilities to be proactive in their creative endeavours. My aim is to create a positive and lasting impression on the community which can inspire artists with and without disabilities to achieve professional practice and success. As an artist with disability, I am aiming to promote a positive image of people with disability, and to highlight what can be achieved. By hosting my exhibition in a prominent public space I am aiming to promote inclusion of people with disability within my local community and to provide access to art for all members of the community.
About the artist
Susan Oxenham is an artist, tutor and facilitator with over 30 years of experience. Susan has taught visual arts to a wide range of groups including young people, parents, people with disability and community college students. As a professional photographer, Susan has worked in all aspects of photography including freelance wedding, portrait and real estate photography, teaching and as a photographic manager in a commercial lab.
Susan is a highly acclaimed artist who has been commissioned to produce murals, paintings and photographs for community and business organisations. Susan has held several successful exhibitions during her extensive career most notably the Minimum Sight/Maximum Vision Exhibition at the University of Western Sydney for International Day of People with Disability, 2006. Susan’s lifelong dedication to community arts has been recognised by her nomination for the Australia Council’s Ros Bower Award in 2007 and her successful nomination for Penrith City Council’s Wall of Achievement in 2008. Susan’s artwork has been accepted for publication in Vision Australia’s yearly calendars and most recently her painting Healing Stream is currently on tour with the Cancer Council Art Awards throughout Victoria.
Susan, who is also a published poet, has used her talent, skills and life experience to bring creativity and appreciation of art to a broad range of people and to inspire others to reach their potential. One of Susan’s long term projects has been the yearly production of her inspirational calendars, featuring images of her artworks. The current exhibition represents a culmination of 10 years work on this project and will also be the launch of the 2012 Retrospective Calendar title A Leaf From My Book.
Project Partners
John Oxenham - Collaborator
As part of the talented Oxenham family, John has been a creative hobbyist for most of his life, producing a great collection of paintings and sculptures. John is now taking his artwork to a new level, and in recent years has had prize winning entries in the Molong Show, as well as having a sculpture accepted at the Royal Easter Show. Six of John’s sculptures will feature in the exhibition.
Peter Gonzalez - Mentor
Peter is an accomplished artist and teacher with extensive experience in all aspects of the visual arts. Peter has dedicated many years to tutoring at Penrith Community College as well as pursuing his successful career as an artist. Peter has held and participated in many exhibitions and is assisting Susan to make an innovative and successful exhibition.
Jenn Petersen
Jenn is a talented young artist and photographer who graduated in Visual Arts from the University of Western Sydney. Jenn has successfully exhibited her own work, as well as working in partnership with Susan on a variety of creative projects.
Melanie Lawson
Melanie is Social Worker and Project Officer with over 20 years experience in the disability sector. Melanie is currently assisting Susan with project management.