Art-Ability Exhibition

Local artist Dean Marks, creator of the work titled Brindabella, shared how art became an important part of his recovery after a hit-and-run motorcycle accident that left him with extensive nerve and spinal injuries.

“As a therapy, I spent a lot of time at the [Werribee Range] Zoo. I’d go for a drive down to the zoo and it was relaxing, and I could just watch the animals and I didn’t have to walk very far. I started taking all these photos… but sitting out there and waiting [to photograph animals] taught my brain to kind of calm down again and grab a hold of a bit of peace,” Mr Marks said.

Brindabella was inspired by one of the hippopotamuses he photographed at the zoo. He later turned the photo into a drawing following multiple surgeries to regain feeling in his hand and reduce hand shakes.

“The big thing for me I think, and other people displaying things will be the same, that what they hope is that people appreciate what they’ve done, that it took effort. Sometimes for some people that effort and concentration and time is a lot harder… [Brindabella] took me nearly two months to draw.”

For other artists, the exhibition provides a different kind of voice. Rasika Gamage, mother of featured digital artist Amaya Gamage, said the exhibition is especially meaningful because it allows her daughter to express herself through her artwork.

“[Amaya] had a speech development delay, I think this is her voice. We currently have a video that her dad did on her artwork and we named it as Amaya’s Artists Voice. That’s her voice, that’s how she expresses [herself],” Mrs Gabage said.

“She always loves having her artwork on the wall… that’s her hobby plus that’s what she’s doing, she’s studying art.”

As part of the exhibition, three artist will be recognised with a People’s Choice Award as chosen by the community. Members of the public are invited to view the exhibition and cast their votes by 5:00pm Friday 21 November 2025 at The Hangar Gallery or online at yoursaydcg.com.au/art-ability-exhibition. Winners will be announced on Tuesday 3 December 2025 in celebration of International Day of People with Disability.

District Council of Grant Chief Executive Officer Darryl Whicker highlighted how the exhibition reflects Council’s ongoing focus on access and inclusion.

“The Art-Ability Exhibition supports Council’s goal of embedding disability access and inclusion into our business-as-usual processes. If we all make small and consistent efforts to improve accessibility and inclusion each day, it can positively impact our community significantly,” Mr Whicker said.

“This initiative reflects the strong work of our Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel and Council’s ongoing commitment to achieve a fully inclusive society that values and respects all people as equal and contributing members of the community.”

Building on this momentum, Council will now begin reviewing its Disability Access and Inclusion Plan, alongside the Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel.