Eyesight is one of life’s treasures that is taken for granted. But how much would you value the last thing you saw, if you started to lose your sight? Could you describe one of your last scenes to an artist and a composer, to recreate it?
In the most emotional exhibition and performance to be experienced in 2023, 10 vision impaired Australians have done just that – shared their most cherished memory before their sight deteriorated – for the 2023 LAST SEEN exhibition, supporting the Queensland Eye Institute Foundation (QEIF) to open in April.
This extraordinary multi-sensory exhibition and performance, presented by Griffith University, sees awarded artists and acclaimed composers unite with Australians including decorated veteran Michael Lyddiard, Paralympian Katie Kelly PLY OAM, pianist Jane Britt, UN panellist Santiago Velasquez and 14-year-old Oliver Fanshawe to shine light on preventable eye-related disease.
In the only known project of its kind in the world, their work will form an art exhibition and performance where visitors can not only immerse in the visual art, but also in sounds and music composed to bring the scenes to life.
2023 LAST SEEN
A poignant and inspiring creative showcase, pairing vision-impaired Australians with renowned artists and composers to depict their last, or most cherished, visual memory.
LAST SEEN runs from 18 – 29 April at the Queensland College of Art Grey Street Gallery (226 Grey Street), 10am – 4pm; entry is free.
Tickets to the concert at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University on the 21st of April, can be purchased from lastseen.com.au.
Featured image :-
ARTWORK TITLE: FAITH
Katie Kelly OAM PLY is one of Australia’s most distinguished, gold medalling Para-triathletes. Born with profound hearing loss, specialists did not diagnose her full condition Usher Syndrome until, at age 22, she started to lose her sight. Her last seen memory was the Merewether Baths in Newcastle.
The Artist – Tracie Eaton is an internationally renowned artist based on the Gold Coast. She’s recognised by the Global Art Agency as one of the ‘Leading & Investable Contemporary Artists’ worldwide and had an exclusive 3-year commission to create artwork for the Oscars, with Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bradley Cooper and Tom Hanks now owning her art.