SICK AF

Cannery Arts Centre, Esperance

Art on the Move

SICK AF represents the deeply personal journeys of more than 20 artists who have navigated lives shaped by long-term illness, injuries, grief, loss, and isolation.

But that is only part of the story. Equally important is how the WA, national, and international artist have embraced a diverse range of mediums as a means of coping, overcoming and healing.

Artist and curator Amanda Alderson initiated SICK AF after her own journey of recovery and living with disabling injuries began in 2021. Alderson’s career spans 25 years in arts and cultural management, and her practice draws deeply on her own experience and a long-standing passion for the arts.

Alderson is an advocate whose work often explores the intersections of art, health, disability, and lived experience.   “When I first became injured, I was consistently prescribed nature, sunshine and art,” she says. “Nature and sunshine offered a place for rest, reflection and healing — but art was unexpected. I embraced making. It helped manage symptoms, gave me tangible goals to work towards, and, most importantly, sparked joy.”

SICK AF was originally launched as part of the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial (IOTA) in 2024 and is now part of a two-year touring program delivered by Art on the Move through its Regional Touring Boost program. 

Alderson’s condition prevented her from travelling from her home in the Perth hills to the Esperance launch, so the opening and exhibition walk-through were live streamed to ensure she and other artists could be included in the moment, while her parents attended and spoke on her behalf.

Cannery Arts Centre Artistic Director Alex Desebrock specifically sought out this exhibition to visit Esperance because of its often invisible and sometimes confronting subject matter.

Exhibitions of this kind — particularly those bringing together a large number of artists — are important opportunities for local artists to experience the complexity and diversity of practices, techniques, materials, and perspectives within SICK AF.

They also offer audiences the chance to engage with works they might not otherwise encounter, prompting reflection, challenge, inspiration, and for some, the powerful experience of feeling seen in the artworks and the conversations they provoke.

“The theme of this exhibition is very different. It grapples with something often invisible in society,” Desebrock says. “Most of us know someone with a chronic illness, but often not the everyday challenges that come with it. This exhibition also shows how people can turn to art to heal.

“It’s a powerful way to show the importance of art not only as professional practice but as a healing tool. We’re hoping this provides a space for reflection on chronic illness, coping and healing.”

With many contributing artists sharing different lived experiences, the exhibition offers rich and nuanced perspectives through diverse media spanning paint, photography, digital works, poetry, sculpture, jewellery, mixed media, textiles, found objects and video installations.

Alongside Alderson, other artists in SICK AF are: Susan Margareta Allwood, Christina Baltais, Helena Bogucki, Ron Bradfield Jnr, Nadeen

Brown, Melissa Cameron, Kate Campbell-Pope, Olga Cironis, Brad Coleman, Lucinda Crimson, Ana Fuentes, Catherine Higham, Sunniva Innstrand, Eden Lennox, Wendy Lugg, Annemieke Mulders, Shayne O’Donnell, Shereen Ricupero, Claire Townsend, Annamaria Weldon

Each artwork is accompanied by detailed didactics that outline the artist’s journey, everyday challenges, and how their creative practice informs their work. They offer deeply personal insight into their experience and highlighting the transformative power of making in the face of adversity.

Viewing this exhibition, I found it impossible not to be moved and was left with a series of reflections and ponderings that continue to reverberate after my visit.

SICK AF is at the Cannery Arts Centre in Esperance until March 28. It then tours to Painted Tree Gallery in Northcliffe from July 3 to August 16 and then to Katanning and Albany in 2027 through Art on the Move.