My honours project is a curatorial one. The title of my exhibition is switch on Switch of: Breaking the boundaries.

It is my intention to enlighten, as many of the general public as I can reach that people with disabilities can be artists regardless of their disabilities; both seen and unseen.

This exhibition features the work of seven artists whom have varying degrees of disabilities, which range from physical, mental to the unseen. Some have lived with their disability since birth, others have incurred them through either accident or illness.

The exhibition looks at modern technology and how it enhances and assists artists with disabilities to create work and put it on public display. Modern technology gives some of these artists a medium that is more manageable for their disabilities enabling them to express themselves and or create art work that otherwise would not have been achievable.

This is achievable because the moving of a mouse is less strenuous than casting a pot, casting bronze or stretching canvas.

In keeping with this, the exhibition is designed to show how modern technology enhances an exhibition as well as being a working tool for people with disabilities. For this exhibition these artists are working with some form of film or computer imaging. (For example , computer imaging, and x-ray film).

The technology is also incorporated in the presentation of some of the artwork, some pieces being displayed on computers.

David Archer has collaborated on a computer CD catalogue that will be displayed on computer and available for people to purchase for their Apple Mac computer systems. Hard copy catalogues with photographic images of the work will is also available.

Modern technology has also made it easier to reach a broader audience. This is achievable through a web page displaying samples of the artist's work. It also allows both curators and a broader audience quick access to the artists work, whilst showing what Tasmania is achieving in this area.

Modern technology has enabled the artist to communicate with me through the use of emails. This has been an important tool in the preparation of this exhibition. Communicating with interstate artists whom may or may not have verbal skills has created challenging aspects to this project.

Some of the artists have limited or no vocal skills. In one case it has allowed a carer to communicate with me outside of working hours so that she can ensure the artist is aware of the development of the exhibition. This has been crucial in the planning of the budget for this exhibition cutting phone calls to the bare minimun whilst allowing a freer communication level with the artists.

Documentation of both incoming and outgoing correspondence has been kept for journalising.

The use of modern technology also enhances the ideal of exploring art and extending creativity and alternate methods of working and presenting art to today's society; whilst bringing an awareness and change which has been a key issue in the design of this exhibition.

This year's work has bought about a new understanding of the curatorial process.

The initial stage of sourcing various organisations, dealing with artists with disabilities was a drawn-out one. An initial stumbling block to accessing disabled artists was confidentiality laws. The response varied from state to state. The most responses came from Adelaide, Canberra, two from Queensland and one from Victoria. Many organisations did not reply or were only able to inform us that they could not help. Western Australia initially expressed interest but refused permission for me to deal with the artists personally as a result of their current commitments. The contact was lost. Tasmania offered no leads, and contact with an artist was made through networking with a commercial gallery.

Much of the curatorial process is done in two major stages: the planning, sourcing inviting and negotiation followed by a lull in time when not much can be done. Then, the design of invitations, catalogues, posters education packages, speakers all occur in the final stages.

The Launceston University Gallery was chosen after much consideration because it allows disabled parking, flat level access, wide doors and good space for people with disabilities. Other venues were considered but there are few places in Launceston that meet these requirements.

Security for equipment was also a concern, if a vacant shop was used to allow a casual drop in attendance. This however raised issues such as security, insurance (public liability) the staffing of the exhibition and rent. These all became major cost factors.

The seven artists have been selected and applications to exhibit filed. Information packs have gone out consisting of expression of interests, details of work, authority for inclusion on a web page etc.

The web page is up and running, showing samples of the artists work and continues to be an on going project which is constantly changing.

A CD ROM catalogue, which David Archer designed and compiled for use on Apple Macintosh computers, is available for people to purchase. It is hoped that with sponsorship hard copy catalogues will also be available in the near future. This will comprise of images printed on computer paper further enhancing the capabilities of modern technology in the gallery space.

The design for the invitations, posters and computer graphic links was carefully thought out. An old light switch mounted on a white wood block was selected for the symbolism of how society is able to switch on and off from people with disabilities.

The work being produced and presented for this exhibition includes three framed computer images by David Archer, these images are very subtle and quiet exquisite.

Roman Temple is also doing computer images describe her love of travel, her feelings and acceptance of her crippling disability. The work will be pinned to the wall free of boundaries. We are also negotiating on decoupage eggs based on her images, however her illness has made her health deteriorate and she is reluctant to let the work out of her sight.

Christopher will be displaying his work on computer.

Cinmayii is presenting small images that sit centerally within the confines large white boarders, symbolic of the sterile walls of hospitals.

Jeni Heckondorf will display her work as paper images pined to the wall also breaking with boundaries and confinement such as her leg braces.

Dean Pursell has produced a collage on glass. This collage is comprised of x-ray films, paint and glue, designed to be displayed on a medical light box illuminating the xrays that represent the symbolism of the bones that no longer support his body. Showing the fragility of ones body whilst emphasising the strength those bones contain.

Bob Williams has produced several pieces for this exhibition. Each standing alone as individual art pieces. One of the stronger pieces in my opinion, is the black and white image entitled : "Which Way is Up".

As well as hard copy, the artists work will also have a computer set up, accessing the web page for people to look through both the current work and past samples. A computer will also be available to preview the interactive CD-Rom catalogue on.

In Tasmania this exhibition appears unique because to date I have not been able to find examples of similar exhibitions. There have been exhibitions such as Rosa McNanmey's which was a collaboration between a disabled and an able bodied person. There was also a touring exhibiton entitled "Body Suits" which was comprised of both disabled and abled bodied artists works. The Launceston General Hospital has also exhibted work form patients in ward 1E on several occasions and more recently an exhibition that cumalated from a series of work shops that Mish Meijers and Till Julien ran at the Roachelle day centre for disabled clients. The Autism Foundation of Tasmania is currently working on an annual exhibiton from clients work to be held in November 1999. But I have been unable to uncover material on other exhibitions such as this one where everyone including the curator has a disability.

I have been asked on many occasions why have I curated an exhibition incorporating solely disabled artists. It is something I have discussed with the artists extensively. Two of the artists say their disabilities are totally irrelevant, as they know they have a disability but it is not an issue because they do not perceive themselves as disabled. Some of the others believe that the general public need to be aware that just because they are different doesn't mean they should be ignored, undervalued or disregarded as having nothing to contribute to society. Some of their work reflects their frustration of the limitations of their bodies.

It has taken me most of this year to come to a realisation of what this exhibition is about. In my heart I knew, but I have not been able to express it until recently when it was suggested to me that this exhibition is different because I am not taking people with a disability and showing them how to create art. All except two of the artists have completed a certificate, diploma or degree in art with TAFE or University level.

One artist, while not having had formal training has been exhibiting for two years, and the other has been producing profesional work for theater productions and teaching computer art for several years as well as being a performing artist himself. This exhibition is different, because these artists have the ability to make the choice and say "I want to be an artist". They have the life skills to be able achieve this.

For me personally my initial thought in curationg this exhibition was, to he like a small wave in a ocean of waves. My own small contribution, assisting in the endless sea of waves to erode the bariers perceived by both disabled and able bodied people in their perception of the disabled in the new millennium.

It is only with self-awareness and acceptance that I have been able to continue my studies into my honours year. As a person with dyslexia, it is only through awareness and acceptance that my peers can put aside pre-conceived ideas and listen to what I have to say and see what I can produce.

I can say to my children "you have dyslexia but don,t let it stop you, only you can stop yourself from achieving greater things.