Healing Art Exhibition

Chapel on Station Gallery is excited to host Libby Byrne’s “Everything is Breath” exhibition, the continuation of her PhD research through Whitley College, University of Divinity, into the Art of Healing.

Libby writes: “This exhibition signals the end of the Reflexive Studio Practice component of my PhD research into the Art of Healing.

“The work was provoked by the ideas and questions that viewers offered in response to the 2014 exhibition, ‘Untitled’. The breadth and depth of the responses I received last year was astounding. I was privileged to read responses from people who took the time and care to find words that seemed to fit their experience of the art. The titles they suggested spoke of an experience of paradox for many viewers and enabled them to name both what they could see and what they hoped might still be possible. The rhythms of resonance and dissonance between the many titles offered for this one exhibition, led me to consider how art enables us to see ourselves.”

‘For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven’(Ecclesiastes 3).

Libby adds: “Over the past year I have been exploring these ideas in the studio, with particular reference to the book of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes awakens us to the reality of our contingent existence and encourages us to consider how best to live, despite the claim that ‘everything is meaningless’. This work took on new meaning when I discovered that the word we translate as ‘meaningless’ or ‘vanity’ can also be translated as ‘breath’. Living with illness has taught me that my experience of breath is anything but meaningless. Rather, our breath is everything, from each new beginning to the very end. Indeed there are times in life when all we can do is to just keep breathing, and that is enough. This new exhibition explores what the book of Ecclesiastes might look like if ‘Everything is breath’.”

The exhibition runs from June 25 – July 8, at Chapel on Station Gallery, on the corner of Station Street and Ellingworth Parade in Box Hill.

Gallery opening hours are as follows:

Tues – Fri: 11:30am-3.00pm

Sat: 1.00-4.00pm

Sun: 4:30-7.00pm

Closed for public holidays and formal church functions

Please join us for an evening of conversation with the artist on Sunday 5th July from 4.30-6.00pm in the Gallery.

We also invite you to join us for a time of silent retreat and reflection to be held in the Gallery on Saturday 27th June from 10:30am – 12:30pm. This is a time for free silent reflection and basic art materials will be available for those who would like to make a visual response. If you would like to attend, please RSVP (details below). It is anticipated you would stay for the two hours.

Please RSVP via chapelgallery@tpg.com.au or on 9890 5810 if you would like to participate.

Everyone is most welcome.

A downloadable flier is available here.

Parking: Street parking is difficult to find but there is parking under nearby Box Hill Centro, accessed off Station Street for a small fee, and Box Hill Station is a short walk from the Gallery.