Right Brain Art & Change

Posted by  admin —June 11, 2008
Filed in Creative Stuff, Sustainability

There are many examples of “right brain” approaches to inspiring change in others. Whilst the use of visual art in the world of “change & sustainability” has started … I think we need plenty more of it. If you read A Whole New Mind by Dan Pink you’ll see why it should be core business for everyone.

Castlemaine (in Victoria) is a leading community in finding solutions to climate change. The Mount Alexander Sustainability Group is a big part of this change … AND … Castlemaine is blessed with a healthy mix of artists, musicians and authors … all adept at accessing the right side (the creative side) of their brain. Co-incidence or cause?

A good friend of mine, Alison Chiam, discovered her right brain a few years ago and is now an artist. Her art communicates so much more than written words. A plug for Alison’s latest Exhibition (see page 28) and a quote from a press release about the “Gender Agenda” exhibition …

“Our paintings aren’t about conventionally beautiful bodies, they’re more about the beauty in the functionality of our bodies.  We hope that viewers will re-examine their ideas of body image as they look at these paintings.”

‘Gender Agenda’ may be a little confronting and provoke a smile or a giggle. Most importantly Alison (together with Alison Mackay) want to encourage people to talk and think a bit more about their bodies. 

In the same way, art may be a solution to help us examine our lifestyles, our addiction to carbon and obsession with consumerism. I’ll bet that good Art-Work will provoke more examination than ‘expert-presented’ powerpoint slide shows!

Geoff

Leave a Reply

2023