Art healsthe mind

By Stephanie Kenez
A LOCAL exhibition is providing an insight into the minds of people with mental illness.
‘Viewpoints’ art exhibition allows people like Jorg Klein to display their art and express their perception of the world.
Mr Klein, of Narre Warren , suffers from schizophrenia and has had work displayed in the exhibition two years in a row.
This year, he painted an abstract piece using harmonising pastel colours to express his perception of the world.
“I painted the picture according to what was outside my head,” Mr Klein said.
“It was the way I was feeling on that day and I wanted to put it on paper.”
Mr Klein attends weekly art classes run by Eastern Region Mental Health Association in association with Arts Access Victoria at Lilypond House in Pakenham.
Mr Klein said he has benefited a lot from attending the classes and they have given him the opportunity to express himself.
“The classes give me something to do. It makes me happy, it’s good for my confidence,” he said.
Mental illness can often be debilitating, leaving sufferers feeling isolated and alone.
The exhibition demonstrates how important art therapy can be in managing mental illness through helping people express themselves.
Cardinia Shire Mayor George Blenkhorn officially opened the exhibition last Wednesday as part of Mental Health Week and said it was a cultural treat.
“The artistic talent is truly amazing, the work shows true passion and imagination.”
The exhibition will run until Monday 31 October at the Cardinia Cultural Centre in Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham.