Exploring the Art Gallery
Quiet Tuesdays – it says it all in the name. Recently, we held our first Quiet Tuesdays event at the Art Gallery. For Quiet Tuesday, the gallery closed for the day and our first group explored the Gallery. In this public space that is commonly buzzling with people, Quiet Tuesdays offered a sense of calmness and the opportunity for everyone who attended to admire the art and let their creativity flow.
As part of the new partnership with the Art Gallery of Western Australia and the AGWA voluntary Guides, the Quiet Tuesdays initiative aims to create inclusive spaces for all to participate in the arts in a desensitised environment. The first session was hosted for adults who have a keen interest in art, some of who participated in the Arts for Autism competition.
The day started with a guided tour to see the incredible State Art Collection. The group split into two groups and began the tour. It was quiet and the groups were small, giving the participants space to move freely and the quietness in the room to allow them to focus on the art. Along the way, the Gallery Guides talked the group through the context of the art and discussed: “what do you see when you look at this art?” and “how does it make you feel?” as they walked through.
The second part of the tour was a workshop titled ‘Every Eyelash Tells a Story’. The idea of the workshop was to create art that reflects on the way features and facial expressions help us to express emotion and personality.
On April 6th, during Autism Awareness Month, we will be running our next Quiet Tuesdays event with the Art Gallery of Western Australia. This session will be for children aged 5 to 8 years old.
Like Quiet Tuesdays at the Art Gallery of WA, Perth is creating more and more opportunities for inclusion in community spaces. Sensory sessions support inclusivity in the community by creating a desensitised experiences. Public spaces such as the Perth Zoo, Aqua, Little Land, and Scitech have also created these spaces for individuals and family to enjoy. Each providing tools and resources such as “chill out zones” and “social stories” to make sure it is a memorable and a positive experience.
If you would like more information on how you can find out about sensory sessions around Perth, send us an email at autismwa@autism.org.au or call (08) 9489 8900
AGWA Contemporary installation view, 2020. Atelier van Lieshout Sensory deprivation skull 2007. Reinforced fibreglass. State Art Collection, Art Gallery of Western Australia. Purchased 2008. Photo courtesy Art Gallery of WA.
AGWA Contemporary installation view, 2020. Atelier van Lieshout Sensory deprivation skull 2007. Reinforced fibreglass. State Art Collection, Art Gallery of Western Australia. Purchased 2008. Photo courtesy Art Gallery of WA.
