Media Release: Flying Colours at Gladstone Airport!
Did you know that Gladstone Airport has a public art space that showcases art made by the Gladstone community? Introducing… Art-Port!
The latest Art-Port exhibition features two talented, local artists; Katie Rogers and George Parkyn, Founder of FND Artworks.
Katie Rogers, a 25-year-old artist with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, moved to Gladstone from the Gold Coast in early 2024, bringing with her a prolific portfolio of paintings featuring natural subjects like landscapes and animals.
‘Art is so relaxing for my body and mind,’ Katie writes. ‘It makes me feel so happy and brings out the best in me. When I paint, I escape from life’s worries, and I feel like I am achieving my goals in life.’
‘Since moving to Gladstone, I have encountered different painting styles working with my creative guide Jen Hollstein. I have learned to use alternative tools like cloths to paint on large canvases which I find to be a very liberating way of expressing myself.’
‘I’m so excited to have some of my work included in this exhibition at Art-Port, and I’m looking forward to holding my own solo exhibition in the near future!’
George Parkyn founded FND Artworks in 2022, motivated by a passion for art and his goal to raise awareness and educate the community about his experience of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), and inspire young, emerging, and disabled people to explore their creativity.
Describing his artwork, George says, “My style is largely inspired by nature and based on my mental state and mood, my past life experiences and memories, and my love of colour. All of these themes are explored through an abstract approach using alcohol and acrylic inks on recycled glass and paperbark.”
In late 2023, George launched his first exhibition, ‘Summer of 23 Collection’ at the ARTmatters Gallery in Gladstone which received tremendous support from the community.
In, September 2024, George will be on Heron Island as an Artist in Residence; an opportunity granted through the Gladstone Regional Council Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF).
Both Katie and George have established social media platforms where they regularly share about their creative processes and artworks for sale.
Jen Hollstein, local Expressive Artist, Art Therapist, and current Curator of the Art-Port space, works with Katie, George, and several other members of the community on a weekly basis. Jen guides clients to explore their unique sense of creative expression through multiple art forms with the aim of intentional self-discovery and growth.
Jen wishes to thank the Regional Arts Services Network (RASN) at CQUniversity and Gladstone Airport Corporation for making Art-Port possible!
The Regional Arts Services Network is an initiative of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Central Queensland University is serving as the Catchment Three RASN Provider from 2022 to 2025.
The exhibition which opened in early July will run until late October when the Art-Port space will prepare for the festive season…
11.07.24 – Jen Hollstein, www.jenhollstein.com
