Achieving world peace may seem unrealistic, but UQ graduate Kathryn Brimblecombe-Fox is giving it her best shot.
The Brisbane-based artist believes that art has a significant role to play in creating world peace because of its ability to stimulate conversation.
Ms Brimblecombe-Fox will discuss the concept in a seminar hosted by the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (ACPACS) on October 16.
“I really get excited when my paintings are catalysts for different types of conversation and stimulating dialogue between people from all over the world,” Ms Brimblecombe-Fox said.
“Art can propel you into conversations you would never normally have had.”
Ms Brimblecombe-Fox’s workshop will consist of a power-point presentation based on her experiences in the Middle East.
“In 2005 I had an exhibition in Abu Dhabi,” Ms Brimblecombe-Fox said.
“On a daily basis people from all over the Middle East would tell me that ‘if more people thought like you there would be peace in the world’.
“These are the kinds of stimulating conversations you don’t just have over the boardroom or diplomatic table, and it’s because of the art that you are propelled into that type of discussion more swiftly.”
Having her work regarded as a catalyst for peace was a new and somewhat overwhelming experience for Ms Brimblecombe-Fox, and is something she has continued to explore.
“I’m not offering any solutions, I’m offering ideas. I want people to leave the workshop wondering, ‘is this possible?’ and ‘what could I do to assist in making these conversations meaningful?”
Director of ACPACS, Professor Kevin Clements, was supportive of Ms Brimblecombe-Fox’s approach.
“We believe that artists have a particular commitment to truth and integrity. These qualities are very much at a premium in modern discourse. New concepts for creating world peace should be encouraged and trialled by as many people as possible,” Professor Clements said.
“Thinking of art as a catalyst for world peace is exciting and has tremendous potential. ACPACS has a small program called Peace MAP, Peace through Music, Arts and Poetry. Anyone with an interest in peace and conflict studies should come along and hear what Kathryn has to say.”
Ms Brimblecombe-Fox completed a UQ Arts degree (double major Art History) in 1980.
She was recently pre-selected for the $15,000 Prometheus Art Prize on the Gold Coast.
Ms Brimblecombe-Fox’s latest exhibition, Prayers for the Planet: We are all the Same is on display at the Dogget Street Studio, Newstead until November 3.
Her workshop, Art, Artists + Conversations = Peace Talks?, will be held on Tuesday October 16 from 1pm-3pm at UQ’s St Lucia campus (Level 4, Sir James Foots building).
More information is available on Ms Brimblecombe-Fox’s website, www.kathrynbrimblecombe-fox.com
Media: Further information, Kathryn Brimblecombe-Fox (0409059018, k.brimblecombe@bigpond.com), Anna Nolan at ACPACS (3346 9964) or Penny Robinson at UQ Communications (3365 9723, penny.robinson@uq.edu.au)
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