Creative Spaces NetworkNurturing his creativity is the aim of Kerry Deane, an Auckland artist working from Māpura Studios whose work is currently on display in an exhibition called This is the house that jack built, running until 5 October at Artspace Aotearoa.
Before Kerry’s stroke in 2015, he was practising fulltime as a lawyer. "After my stroke, I retired as a lawyer and in 2017 I began an art therapy course with Māpura Studios," he recalls.
"Then in 2018, I commenced the ‘Leading a creative life' course with Māpura and this marked the beginning of my new life as an artist."
This is the house that jack built is a group exhibition showcasing the work of Kerry, Andy Butler, Sara Gómez, Ming Ranginui, Ashleigh Taupaki and X&Y. It comments on the relationships between economic position, individual social contributions and collective labour.
Visit the Artspace Aotearoa website for more about the exhibition
Kerry enjoys painting abstract forms in a style of both realism and abstraction, working across a wide variety of mediums. He represents the beauty of nature and land forms in his work and wants to share his appreciation for nature with people through his art.
Majesty and beauty of nature
I would like people to share my own appreciation of the majesty and beauty inherent in nature,” he says. “For mediums, I tend to work with whatever I can get my hands on – acrylic paint, watercolour, graphite, charcoal, pastel ink and so on."
Māpura Studios is everything to Kerry. The studio has been a caring environment where creativity and inspiration are nurtured, and has enabled a significant pivot in Kerry's life.
"The studio encourages free expression of emotions, ideas and inspirations. Māpura has given me access to artmaking and enabled me to turn my life around."
Accessibility for Kerry means physical access to artmaking and access when he’s out in the community. "I have left-sided paralysis and compromised balance post stroke. I therefore need to mobilise by wheelchair when I’m out in the community and need wheelchair access to buildings and bathrooms.
"When I’m making art, I need a set-up that enables me to work with my right hand only. The studio at Māpura meets these requirements perfectly."
Rehabilitation for the emotions and the mind
The stroke programme at Māpura Studios is named re-stART. And that’s what many participants say it means for them, explains Ursula Valeli, Māpura’s Community Development Coordinator.
“They liken it to rehabilitation but for the emotions and the mind,” Ursula says. “After stroke, it’s common to experience anxiety and depression as well as a general malaise and disconnection from others. The art therapy programme addresses these issues in a sensitive but precise way.”
The programme is confidential but family and friends are invited along to a morning tea at the end of each 12-week programme. Ursula says they are often amazed at the changes that have taken place.
In the programme, four art therapists work with a small group of eight to 12 participants. It’s almost one on one but has the benefit of the group dynamic, Ursula says.
Endorsed by the Stroke Foundation
The programme was developed in 2010 with the Centre for Brain Research at The University of Auckland and endorsed by The Stroke Foundation. It is the only one of its kind in Australasia.
“It is my absolute pleasure to onboard individuals to this programme,” Ursula says. “I often tell people it’s not about being an artist or even having an interest in art. Creativity is simply used to bring about therapy.
“At the end of the course we get these amazing emails thanking us. I meet participants at the beginning of the programme and then afterwards. I can see changes in attitude and in the way they hold themselves. It's a joy.”
For Kerry, Māpura provides a strong sense of family and a feeling that everyone is looking out for one another. "The tutors are absolutely amazing. They teach by gently encouraging you in a certain direction and their input is in no sense prescriptive."
Kerry wants to continue developing as an artist, exploring his artistic style and artmaking with Māpura Studios, and hopes to have more opportunities to display his work in the community.
“I want to forge my own identifiable style and fervently hope the future will offer further opportunities to exhibit my work."
