Update from the Cunningham Dax Poetry Collection

We are excited to announce that Dr Jennifer Harrison, the manager of the Cunningham Dax Poetry Collection, presented at the

World Psychiatry Association Congress in the World Psychiatry Association’s Section for Art and Psychiatry, in Mexico City from the 14-17 November.

Dr Harrison’s presentation was entitled, “Ekphrasis: writing about art as a way of teaching mental health care.”

In the presentation, the art of ekphrasis is defined and its relevance for teaching high school students, students of art and literature, and students of psychology and medicine about mental health is explored. The work of The Dax Centre in Melbourne, The Cunningham Dax Collection and The Dax Poetry Collection will also be discussed as an example of an ekphrastic workshop.

In addition, Dr Harrison was published in the November 2024 edition of The Section of Philosophy and Humanities in Psychiatry Newsletter. Dr Harrison published both an article entitled Art and Psychiatryand a poem from her latest publication wOmen’s wOrk, which is currently shortlisted for the 2024 Alastair Reid Pamphlet Prize, UK.The article discusses the role of art and psychiatry and contains information on a new exhibition at the Dax Gallery, The Anxiety Project.

Read the article and poem here.

For more information on the Cunningham Dax Poetry Collection, please reach out to our team.

In The Anxiety Project panel included a discussion about the artist’s interest in how art practice interacts with a lived experience of anxiety and exploring how anxiety manifests and operates within the creative process. This panel discussion was a great opportunity to come together as a creative community for authentic discussion about the hurdles that anxiety creates, and how it can serve as fertile creative ground. 

Missed out on this workshop? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter to hear about upcoming creative workshops at The Dax Centre! 

In conjunction with The Anxiety Project, The Dax Centre and Jacqui Stockdale hosted a pocket zine workshop in November 2024

With the surrounding exhibition to inspire creativity and encourage reflection on anxiety and mental wellbeing, the workshop involved making a pocket zine out of paper materials. Following a tour of The Anxiety Project exhibition, workshop participants were led by Jacqui in drawing, painting and writing on their pocket zines. 

What is a pocket zine? 
A zine is a small booklet or ‘mini magazine’ - they are created with collage, drawing and writing.

Why make a pocket zine? 
In moments of stress or anxiety, it can be useful to have a tangible object to focus on to help ground you. In this workshop, you’ll create a zine for yourself or to gift someone, inspired by The Anxiety Project artworks. The small zine can be kept in your pocket and pulled out whenever needed!

Missed out on this workshop? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter to hear about upcoming creative workshops at The Dax Centre! 

Louise Meuwissen works with textiles and found materials to make intricate embroidered paintings, sculptures, installations and wearable art. Louise specializes in delivering relaxed, fun, craft-based workshops that celebrate our innate creativity, personal expression, and belief that making is for everyone. Louise’s previous workshops have been delivered with institutions such as the NGV, Bunjil Place, and Craft Victoria

We had an two incredibly successful workshops led by Louise Meuwissen, over two Saturdays in October, as our first public program run alongside She Who Persists.  

Louise guided workshop attendees through the process of creating an embroidered clothing patch to adorn a personal item, such as a tote bag, jacket, jeans, or even a cushion or blanket!

Using materials from Louise’s personal collection, attendees were be guided in the creation of their design, its translation to textiles, and learnt sewn embellishment techniques to create a unique piece inspired by She Who Persists. Louise spoke to her practice, and her experience in crafting’s capacity to facilitate mental wellbeing

The workshop presented a chance for attendees to connect with others in their community who enjoy craft and tour our current exhibition She Who Persists. 

Missed out on this workshop? Click here to subscribe to our newletter to hear about upcoming creative workshops at The Dax Centre with Louise and other artists!