Organic Visions - SALA Exhibition at the Bearded Dragon Gallery

Community Bridging Services (CBS) Inc. presents the Bearded Dragon Gallery, a social enterprise designed to give artists with a disability a platform and space to exhibit and sell their artwork.

Organic Visions dives into our connection to our environment and what this means for us. We asked our artists- how do you connect to nature? What does being alive mean to you? We will showcase four emerging and established artists with disability living, breathing and connected by nature. Artists have included matters such as feathers, shells, bones, leaves, or wood in their works.

John “Bundy” Bannerman, an outsider artist, draws inspiration from his outback upbringing and personal battles with ill-health. His works, which delve into outback life, mental health, and acceptance, emerged as a healing outlet. A finalist in the 2023 SALA Advertiser Contemporary Art Prize, Bundy’s blue badge and pink palette swirl symbolize men's mental health and breast cancer. A bet led him to adopt his signature pink shirt, bringing color to life's darkness. Forced to leave the outback due to injury, Bundy now finds solace in painting, exchanging grease splatters for paint splatters.

Lydia Eden's art is a reflection of her essence. Influenced by life experiences, nature, and the beach, she finds solace in the freedom of working with various mediums, textures, and colors. Painting is both relaxing and enjoyable, allowing her to express herself without judgment, especially through difficult times. Art is her safe haven, where she paints intuitively to connect with others, imparting a part of her self in each piece. Lydia continually immerses herself in the simple pleasure of creating, finding joy and fulfillment in her artistic journey.

Michelle Chiles has developed antique craftmanship working with ink and wood to create stunning and dynamic varnished wooden wall pieces. Despite working in her craft for over 7 years she has only recently exhibited for the first time with the Bearded Dragon Gallery in 2023.

Sonja Garnaut has had a similar entry into the art world, having exhibited for the first time with us last year. Sonja works with acrylics painting exquisitely intricate mandala designs, using natural elements for inspiration she balances themes and colours in her works to express her changes and experiences in life.

Robert Eckert has been a part of the art community for many years, contributing to multiple exhibitions at the Bearded Dragon Gallery and featuring art works displayed on local buses in Adelaide. Robert works with acrylics and water colours creating abstract designs with depth and intensity.

Known for our diversity and unique perspectives, the Bearded Dragon Gallery is not one to miss this SALA festival!