Deborah Morgan and Isabella Hastings have set up an art display at the Narre Warren Library to help create cancer awareness in the local area.
By Callan Date
TWO Berwick women are shining some light and awareness on a disease that touches nearly one in three Australians.
Isabella Hastings and Deborah Morgan have used their artistic flair in conjunction with tomorrow’s Daffodil Day to create an eye-catching and informative display at the Narre Warren Library.
The two art enthusiasts became friends after first meeting at a Berwick art class a few years ago and were touched by the disease when Ms Morgan contracted breast cancer in 2004.
Ms Morgan travelled to Warragul and Moorabbin hospitals to undergo treatment and was assisted by Ms Hastings and other friends and family members throughout the visits.
It was during this time that a nurse suggested to both ladies that they put their creativity into practise and enter some of their designs in the Daffodil Day Arts Awards.
The pieces were so well received at the awards they decided to pool together their work and create a display for local residents to enjoy.
The exhibition is made up of several mosaic pieces and a permanent tablecloth consisting of wire, fibreglass, cement and china that took Ms Hastings more than nine months to complete.
“The water lily in the centre represents a new life, there is a tree of life around the whole perimeter and you will even find a couple of daffodils if you look hard enough,” Ms Hastings said.
Ms Morgan wrote a touching short-story which was awarded a commendation at the awards and also designed a mosaic piece displaying three sunflower panels which is at the library.
“The panels represent life and hope with yellow being the colour of healing. I see a link between the act of breaking up tiles that were once whole and creating something wholly new and visually appealing,” Ms Morgan said.
People will also be able to take a lot of information from the display including pamphlets on various issues surrounding cancer.
The mother-of-four said she hoped as many people as possible could visit the display and take their own ideas and thoughts from the works.
“It would be great if people come down and have a look at the art and information we have on display. We think it may provide some positive inspiration for people who are going through their own tough times,” Ms Morgan said.
Daffodil Day is officially this Friday (August 25) and the exhibition will be open for another two weeks.
Visitors to the library in Overland Drive, Narre Warren, can view the display from 10am to 9pm Monday to Thursday, 10am to 6pm on Friday, 10am to 4pm on Saturday and 2pm to 5pm on Sunday.
Anyone wanting to buy Daffodil Day merchandise and help contribute towards cancer research can call 1300 656 585.
