By TANIA PHILLIPS
PICTURED: The artwork, Summer Daze, won second prize for its creator, Kim Tidyman, in the Northern Rivers Regional Social Plan art competition. Picture: KIM TIDYMAN
SOME days in the Northern Rivers you just … want to do well in an art contest, according to Tweed artist Kim Tidyman.
Kim, an art student at Lifebridge East, has just done that with her entry in the Northern Rivers Regional Social Plan – online art competition.
Artists were asked what they loved about the Northern Rivers, the issues of concern to them and the dreams they had for a better future and to interpret and answer the question
“Some days in the Northern Rivers you just …”
For Kim, who entered her piece ‘Summer Daze’, it was an easy answer.
“Some days in the Northern Rivers you just … feel invisible.”
But not according to the judges who named her as runner-up in the region-wide competition.
In her artist statement submitted with the painting she said “as an older woman with disabilities, I often feel rushed or ignored when shopping and have experienced age discrimination.”
She said she would like to see more social inclusion, to feel more accepted and welcomed within the community.
Kim’s piece was so well received the talented artist won second place, worth $150, and the judges praise.
“While the issue of feeling isolated or invisible is unfortunately a common experience, the artist has still given us a warm and hopeful expression of the region,” they said in comments.
Kim was quite overwhelmed by her win.
“I would like to dedicate my prize to my father Keith. He always told me to stand with my head up and shoulders back,” she said with tears in her eyes.
“I know he would be very happy and proud of me today.
“I have had a difficult life. I have had disabilities all my life that have been challenging to live with. I have pressed on and pressed up through many difficult times in my life,” she said.
“Winning second place has given me a very big sense of achievement. I’ve learnt that I can express all my feelings through my drawing and painting.”
“This is such an honour for me. I have never been given anything in my life. I have never won anything or ever been recognised for my efforts,” Ms Tidyman said.
“It was only when I came to Lifebridge and joined the art class three years ago that I started to feel accepted, encouraged and supported.
“I’d like to give a special thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone in the art room and the judges.”
Art tutor for Lifebridge East, Kathryn Cleland said the staff and other art students were thrilled for Kim.
“On behalf of Lifebridge, the staff in the art room and fellow art students, I’d like to extend warm and most sincere congratulations to Kim on a very deserving win,” Kath said.
“It has been both a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside Kim.”
