By Parker McKenzie
An exhibition celebrating the struggles and resilience of the Dandenong Ranges community through the 2021 June storms was opened with a ceremony battered by winds at Kapi Art Space.
The Still Standing exhibition — which opened on 4 March — features local art representing resilience in the face of severe weather events and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Winds reminiscent of the severe storms swept through the garden at Kapi Art Space on Sunday 6 February as Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child officially cut the ribbon and opened the exhibition.
“You won’t need to hear this from me that the last two years have been probably the most harrowing experience for our communities,” Mayor Child said.
“Of course the pandemic, but to be hit in June last year with that significant event, it just took us for six.”
A number of artists with works on display gave short speeches and a local artist performed Elton John’s Still Standing as winds blew through the courtyard of Kapi Art Space.
Artist Harrison Jacobs said painting has helped him through some tough times.
“During Covid it is pretty much my happy place. I’d like to thank the Kapi Inc. committee for not only their hard work here, but also the long hours and choosing to display my art,” he said.
“As a young man I fought with my autism. I would not get into it or be accepted as much because sometimes they see the autism before they see me.”
Kapi Inc committee member Gail Koehler said everyone has been effected by the pandemic and storms in some way.
“If you weren’t directly affected, somebody you knew was and it certainly affected the way we live down here,” she said.
“It became difficult. We’ve just got over not seeing my grandkids because of Covid.”
Kapi Inc founder Heather Bradbury said everyone has a story of hardship and resilience from the past two years.
“We want to have a platform for people who have that opportunity,” she said.
“When we had the first exhibition, what we found is that people said they’ve never really had an opportunity to tell people why they created this piece of artwork.”
The exhibition normally runs during Mental Health Week, however, because of restrictions and lockdowns it was postponed twice.
Ms Koehler said the team at Kapi Art Space would love anybody who wants to join.
“There’s six of us and the more people we have, the more we can build,” she said.
“If I learned nothing more through the storm, it’s that things get better the more you tell the story, and the more support we have around.”
The exhibition is being held by Kapi Inc in partnership with Yarra Ranges Council. Kapi Art Space is located at 1282 Mount Dandenong Road, Kalorama.
The exhibition will close on 13 March.
