Sweeping his brush across the canvas

14 May 2009
Dunedin artist Kelvin Maxwell, who attends Studio 2 once a week, is happiest when he’s got a paint brush in his hand and is sweeping it across the canvas.

A finalist in the 2006 Telecom IHC Art Awards, Kelvin attended the awards ceremony in Christchurch with his mother – Dunedin artist Heather Maxwell. He’s very proud of the fact that Judith Tizard, former Associate Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, commissioned him to do an artwork for her office at Parliament.

Heather says that Kelvin’s entry in the 2006 Telecom IHC Art Awards was “a milestone” for him.

“I am very proud of his achievements and grateful to Studio 2. Their patient and intuitive artist teachers have drawn out a talent that once seemed impossible for Kelvin with his stiff fingers. He has always loved making fine lines and marks on a card, but the potential for expression with access to large brushes and canvases has proved very exciting.”

Kelvin is now keen to enter the 2009 Telecom IHC Art Awards, the major showcase of work by artists with intellectual disabilities. Entries close on 3 July.

Kelvin has been coming to the Dunedin creative space since it opened in 2002. Bridget Inder, one of two arts facilitators running the programme at Studio 2, says Kelvin just loves to paint.

“We provide a supportive space where Kelvin can experiment with different media and materials, and work alongside others,” Bridget says. “Studio 2 also has the knowledge, networks and structure to exhibit Kelvin’s work to the wider arts community and provide opportunities for him to sell his work.”

Kelvin, who has  cerebral palsy, has a strong sense of colour and makes deliberate choices in his mark making, Bridget says.

“He’s an intuitive artist who just loves the experience of painting and the feel of sweeping the paint across the canvas with his brush. He’s very confident about what he wants to do and the colours he uses.

“Kelvin interacts really well with the staff and his fellow artists. He’s fun to have around and full of enthusiasm.”