Art for heart's sake
Sarah Cannata
08Jul08
Aunty Gwen Garoni proves it's never too late to take up painting.
IT'S hard to believe that Koori elder Aunty Gwen Garoni began painting only three years ago.
Ms Garoni joined the Indigenous Arts Unit at RMIT University in Bundoora as something extra to do with her work friends.
The 75-year-old attended the classes once a week for three hours where she would happily paint landscapes.
She never thought it would lead to 15 of her paintings being shown at the Bundoora Homestead recently as part of an art show.
Ms Garoni was ecstatic to hear that her work was worthy of being exhibited to the public.
The Reservoir resident said it was good to know others appreciated her art.
"I wish I had started painting years ago," she said.
Ms Garoni said painting began as a way of bonding with the people she worked with. The amount of pleasure it gave her was unexpected.
"I enjoy sitting and wasting two to three hours of my day doing something that relaxes me," she said.
Her art has even provided her with therapeutic benefits.
The Koori elder has suffered four heart attacks and is a diabetic.
She said that painting helped to calm her through stressful times.
The exhibition was the first time several of Ms Garoni's paintings had been displayed.
She has been a finalist in the Daffodil Day Art Award and the Victorian Indigenous Arts Prize.
Ms Garoni said it didn't matter whether her artwork was sold or exhibited. She is just happy to have found an activity that leaves her feeling at peace and content.
