Pamela Debrincat showcases her work. 69080 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By Charlene Gatt
FOOTSCRAY artist Pamela Debrincat is making waves in the art world.
The 28-year-old intellectually disabled artist has been short-listed as a finalist in the State Trustees’ annual art exhibition, Connected.
The exhibition showcases the works of new and emerging Victorian artists with a disability or an experience of a mental illness.
Ms Debrincat’s multimedia piece “Neon devices in sunthpop 2” will be exhibited at the No Vacancy Gallery in Melbourne alongside more than 140 works.
Her work was selected from 615 submissions ranging from paintings, photography, ceramics, 3D work, and poetry.
“I’m so excited,” she said.
Ms Debrincat began exploring different techniques in art when she began taking workshops at the Footscray Community Arts Centre in 2005.
Fascinated by what she learned, it wasn’t long before she was undertaking her own artistic experiments, including working with paint and collage.
Earlier this year she had her first solo show at FCAC.
Ms Debrincat told Star that much of her work had been inspired by her love of the 1980s.
State Trustees managing director Tony Fitzgerald said Connected gives some of Victoria’s most vulnerable residents an opportunity to have their voice heard through their art.
“It’s quite inspiring to see an artist’s reaction when they see their work on display for the first time or they sell their work to someone for display in their home,” he said.
The exhibition connected began in 2003 with 22 entries and has evolved into a popular and anticipated fixture in the calendar of emerging artists and the Victorian community.
