The uplifting power of creativity was celebrated today at a special event to announce winners of icare's 2022 Shine Arts Prize. This bi-annual competition showcases artwork from participants in icare's Lifetime Care scheme and Worker's Care program.
The winning work, along with other entries can be seen in a week-long exhibition at 321 Kent Street, Sydney, and via an online gallery for digital viewings.
Winners across four distinct categories received cash prizes, with Huntah Hawkins, announced as the overall winner with a set of photos entitled "Drone Selfie, Shapes from Above and Purple & Yellow".
Huntah's aerial images portray himself and his rural hometown of Manilla, New South Wales, where he is well-known for his recovery after a serious car accident when he was four years old.
The 18-year-old photographer, who lives with quadriplegia and a traumatic brain injury, uses a powered wheelchair to move and communicates with an assistive speaking device.
He said he's inspired by Dutch landscape painters and that flying a drone inspired feelings of space and freedom.
"I have always looked at things differently to other people and this turned into loving art, as I've become older and have learnt to express myself through it," Huntah said.
"I like to use a camera, drone and Photoshop. I like using the drone because this is something I can use independently, and it gives a different view to the ordinary."
Serena Ovens, the CEO of the Physical Disability Council of NSW, helped judge the 2022 entries and praised the skillful use of technology by Huntah.
"Huntah is an expressive young artist with a unique, insightful perspective, and his striking aerial photography captures the sweeping lines, shapes and textures of his landscape in an abstract but also charming and playful way," said Ms. Ovens.
Ms. Ovens, who is an experienced photographer, praised the "fabulous and diverse" work from other entrants, who created photos, visual art, sculpture, film and music based on the theme 'Where I Find Hope'.
"Art can be an amazing outlet for emotion and expression post trauma, and a space where people can come together to socialise and be an included member of community," said Ms. Ovens.
Whilst in its infancy, the Shine Arts Prize is already providing an opportunity for this to occur for those with significant disability".
Songwriter Wayne Williams took out the Music Category for "Blue Angels", a ballad inspired by the "nurses in blue scrubs," who cared for him after a work-related accident.
"The lyrics detail the emotional turmoil that my condition brought about, as well as the hope that the nurses provided for me," said Mr Williams.
The two other winners were visual artist Caroline Graydon, with her painting entitled "My Husband", and 13-year-old Shaylah Sandery, who won the Children's category with a rainbow-inspired work called "Fancy Dress".
Huntah Hawkins said he hop
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A digital gallery of images can be accessed at the Shine Art Prize webpage
